P34 MILLION SMUGGLED AGRI GOODS SEIZED IN MANILA PORT

Smuggled currencies seized at NAIA

On Jul 9, 2025

Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel (third from left), is joined by BOC officials during the opening of several containers at the Port of Manila containing misdeclared agricultural products worth over P34 million. Besides him is Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla, July 1, 2025 (photo: BOC-PIAD).

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced the seizure at the Port of Manila (POM) of misdeclared agricultural products worth over P34 million, a significant accomplishment that coincided with the last workday of Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio as head of the agency.

With Rubio on hand to welcome his replacement headed by Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno last July 1, the role of showing the smuggled goods to the public, together with Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, fell on the shoulders of Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla, Deputy Commissioner Michael Fermin and POM District Collector Alexander Gerald Alviar.

Also assisting during the examination are representatives from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

BOC records disclosed that the shipment coming from China arrived on May 27 and June 1 and were declared as “assorted food items” composed of ‘mantou, egg noodles, and kimchi.’

However, preliminary examination last June 10 disclosed they consisted of red and white onions and frozen mackerel.

Based on price monitoring by the DA, the estimated fair market values were placed at ₱10.2 million for red onions, ₱3.8 million for white onions, and ₱20.08 million for frozen mackerel.

A Customs Officer at NAIA Terminal 3, conducting the inventory of undeclared currencies seized from the departing passenger (photo credit: BOC-PIAD).

The BOC formally issued an ‘WSD’ (warrant of seizure and detention) on June 23, the agency added but did not name the erring importer.

Smuggled currencies seized

At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Collection District, outgoing District Collector Atty. Yasmin Mapa, also left her post with another feather in her cap by way of accomplishment, courtesy of the seizure of undeclared US dollars valued at 580,000 and local currency amounting to P1.2 million pesos.

Mapa, in her report, said the interdiction was made last June 25 at the NAIA Terminal 3 from the baggage of a male passenger leaving the country for Hongkong, China. The passenger, who has been charged of currency smuggling, was not named, however.

Aside from Rubio, Mapa joined the list of top customs officials replaced by Malacañang with the appointment of Nepomuceno as Commissioner of Customs. Mapa would be replaced by Collector Alexandra Lumontad.