Probe sought on P202 million smuggled mackerel

MANILA, Philippines — A farmers’ group on Wednesday asked the Economic Sabotage Council, composed of the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard, to take the lead in probing the seizure of P202 million worth of smuggled mackerel from China.

Rep. Nicanor Briones of AGAP (Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines) party-list welcomed the confiscation of frozen mackerel at the Manila port by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Briones said the case falls under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act as it involves the smuggling of over P10 million worth of fishery products.

“The BOC issued a seizure and detention order, but no one has been charged up to now,” Briones said.

Under the law, he said violators would face life in prison and must pay five times of the amount ordered by the court.

Economic sabotage is a non-bailable offense, Briones said.

The shipment of frozen mackerel has been held by the BOC since Jan. 20.

“This is clearly technical smuggling as the goods were misdeclared. The cargo amounted to over P200 million, which is within the scope of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act,” Briones said.