Department of Agriculture (DA) personnel seized P88 million worth of smuggled onions allegedly from China in separate operations.
In a report by Bernadette Reyes on GMA News “24 Oras” this Tuesday, it was said that boxes of buns or siopao were found in a container van inspected by the DA at the Manila International Container Port this Monday.
But hidden inside it is a sack of red and white onions.
In separate operations on December 14 and 19, eight container vans containing illegal onions and frozen goods were seized.
Based on information gathered by the DA, the onions are from China.
According to agency officials, a case of violation of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act and Food Safety Act is being prepared.
“We are on the lookout for those smugglers,” said DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban.
“We have to stop the agricultural smuggling because of primarily food safety. Kaya ho kami makikipag-coordinate ngayon sa DOJ [Department of Justice] with Secretary Remulla to create a legal team, a legal task force that will really investigate itong buong network na ito,” said DA Assistant Secretary James Layug.
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Smuggled onions found inside siopao boxes
In the DA’s latest price monitoring today, red onion has reached P380 per kilo in markets in Metro Manila.
Some stores in Quezon City Memorial Circle do not sell red onions, but white onions can be bought for P400 per kilo.
The DA has assured that there will be enough supply of red onion this Christmas.
In five warehouses in Nueva Ecija, the agency said there are stored onions from the harvest of local farmers.
It is said to be sold in Metro Manila. In addition, it is expected that onion will be harvested next year.
“’Yung Tarlac at Pangasinan area may harvest. Kasi doon sa Nueva Ecija lahat po ay nagtatanim. Ang sabi naman nila na sa ngayon mukhang naguumpisa palang tumubo, siguro by April or March kasi four months naman ‘yan bago ma-harvest,” said DA Deputy Spokesperson Rex Estoperez.
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