Manila Bulletin
Philippines
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BOC discovers P30M worth of expired meat, other frozen products in Caloocan operation
Philippines
National
BOC discovers P30M worth of expired meat, other frozen products in Caloocan operation
BOC discovers P30M worth of expired meat, other frozen products in Caloocan operation
Published Aug 4, 2023 04:59 am
Intelligence and investigation agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have discovered around P30 million worth of expired meat and other frozen meat products in an inspection they conducted on a warehouse in Caloocan City.
BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio said the operation stemmed from the confirmed reports received by their Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) about the storage of imported meat and frozen products with questionable documents.
Bureau of Customs- Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) inspect the expired meat and other frozen products that were discovered during an inspection on a warehouse in Caloocan City on Aug. 1, 2023. The seized products are worth around P30 million. (photo: BOC)
Armed with a Letter of Authority which he signed, Rubio said CIIS agents led by Director Verne Enciso swooped down on the area with personnel from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). Rubio said the successful operation is part of the BOC’s commitment to the instruction of President Marcos to intensify the campaign against smuggled agricultural products. “Our agents work tirelessly to protect not only our borders, but all the other industries, too, including livestock, poultry, and meat,” said Rubio. “Not only is the entry of spoiled meat detrimental to the health of our citizens, it also puts in danger all other industries because of the possibility of pathogenic diseases entering critical sectors,” he added. BOC Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said the same operation also resulted in the discovery of other products that include imported ice cream and imported meat balls. “Our agriculture industries will only remain vibrant if we do our mandate of intercepting possible disease-bearing animals and protecting both the consumers and our industries,” said Uy. “Thankfully, our representatives from the BOC itself and the DA and NMIS have extensive training and experience in agricultural inspection since they are our country’s frontliners to ensure economic resilience,” added.
(photo: BOC)
Representatives from the DA and the NMIS did an initial evaluation on the meat products which were determined to be unfit for human consumption. For his part, Enciso said proper procedures will be followed in prosecuting those liable for the contents of the warehouse. “Protecting our consumers remains a priority to the bureau. However, we can also only ensure to put a stoppage to these activities by apprehending these individuals and groups through the proper means. Along with this, we must also enhance our information-sharing capabilities with key agencies to detect and deter the entry of these illegal, and sometimes even spoiled, goods,” said Enciso.
Bureau of Customs- Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) inspect the expired meat and other frozen products that were discovered during an inspection on a warehouse in Caloocan City on Aug. 1, 2023. The seized products are worth around P30 million. (photo: BOC)
Armed with a Letter of Authority which he signed, Rubio said CIIS agents led by Director Verne Enciso swooped down on the area with personnel from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). Rubio said the successful operation is part of the BOC’s commitment to the instruction of President Marcos to intensify the campaign against smuggled agricultural products. “Our agents work tirelessly to protect not only our borders, but all the other industries, too, including livestock, poultry, and meat,” said Rubio. “Not only is the entry of spoiled meat detrimental to the health of our citizens, it also puts in danger all other industries because of the possibility of pathogenic diseases entering critical sectors,” he added. BOC Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said the same operation also resulted in the discovery of other products that include imported ice cream and imported meat balls. “Our agriculture industries will only remain vibrant if we do our mandate of intercepting possible disease-bearing animals and protecting both the consumers and our industries,” said Uy. “Thankfully, our representatives from the BOC itself and the DA and NMIS have extensive training and experience in agricultural inspection since they are our country’s frontliners to ensure economic resilience,” added.
(photo: BOC)
Representatives from the DA and the NMIS did an initial evaluation on the meat products which were determined to be unfit for human consumption. For his part, Enciso said proper procedures will be followed in prosecuting those liable for the contents of the warehouse. “Protecting our consumers remains a priority to the bureau. However, we can also only ensure to put a stoppage to these activities by apprehending these individuals and groups through the proper means. Along with this, we must also enhance our information-sharing capabilities with key agencies to detect and deter the entry of these illegal, and sometimes even spoiled, goods,” said Enciso.