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The Bureau of Customs intercepted P12.96 million worth of misdeclared frozen chicken breasts and fish balls at the Manila International Container Port
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The shipments from China were declared as 5,300 cartons of fish balls but were mostly filled with frozen chicken breasts
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BOC issued pre-lodgement control orders on Aug. 29, citing possible violations of Sections 117 and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act
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Warrants of seizure and detention were issued on October 9
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The smuggling attempt involved the so-called “layering” scheme, wherein shipments are misdeclared as processed goods to evade inspection
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Senator Francis Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, joined the inspection, citing strong collaboration between the legislative and executive branches to curb illegal smuggling
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted P12.96 million worth of misdeclared frozen chicken breasts and fish balls at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on October 27 as part of its stepped-up campaign against agricultural smuggling.
The two 40-foot containers from China were declared to be carrying 5,300 cartons of fish balls, but a joint examination on September 29 revealed that only 240 cartons matched the declaration while the rest were filled with sacks of frozen chicken breasts, the BOC said in a statement.
Following the discovery, MICP District Collector Rizalino Jose Torralba issued warrants of seizure and detention on October 9, citing violations of Sections 117 and 1400 in relation to Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The operation stemmed from derogatory information received by the BOC, prompting the issuance of pre-lodgement control orders on August 29 for possible misdeclaration and illegal importation.
Senator Francis Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, joined another inspection on October 27 alongside assistant commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla, Torralba, and other BOC officials.
During the inspection, Maronilla explained that the interception exemplifies a common smuggling tactic known as “layering.”
“(Shipments) are declared as processed food products under the Food and Drug Administration, but the majority of their contents are actually smuggled agricultural goods. This is consistent with the schemes being exposed in the Senate hearings. That is why we invited the good Senator, to allow him to personally see the results of our investigation,” he said.
Pangilinan underscored the firm resolve of the government, both the legislative and executive branches, to address the longstanding problem of agricultural smuggling.
“I believe this is the first time in the history of the Bureau of Customs that a Deputy Collector was cited in contempt and detained in the Senate. That in itself shows how serious we are, and how serious the BOC is in addressing smuggling,” Pangilinan said.
BOC deputy collector for assessment at the Port of Subic Andrew Calixihan was cited for contempt and detained at the Senate on October 20, 2025 for allegedly providing misleading information during a Senate inquiry into agricultural smuggling. Together with Calixihan, detained for contempt at the same hearing was Customs Operations Officer Mary Anabelle Gubaton and private trader Erwin Pascual (EPCB Consumer Goods Trading).
The charge relates to Calixihan’s testimony about three trucks that left the Subic port in June 2025, which carried smuggled onions and frozen mackerel but earlier misdeclared as containing chicken poppers.
Pangilinan said Calixihan’s explanation was “less than forthright” and inconsistent with other evidence presented during the hearing.
“Since the start of the Senate hearings on agricultural smuggling, we have been working closely with the BOC, and they have consistently provided us with the necessary documents and information,” Pangilinan said.
READ: BOC intercepts P13.3M smuggled carrots at Manila port
He added that with Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno’s appointment in July, “it is as though he has taken on a role similar to that of Vince Dizon in public works, brought in to help clean up the system. That is why our collaboration is strong and continuous.”
Nepomuceno, for his part, affirmed the agency’s full commitment to enforcing the law and safeguarding public welfare.
“We are committed to ensuring that only safe and authorized agricultural imports enter our markets. With the Senate’s support, we continue to strengthen our enforcement efforts. This interception demonstrates that the safety and welfare of our people remain our top priority,” the customs chief said in a statement.
The BOC said it will continue to enhance border protection measures to curb agricultural smuggling, protect legitimate traders, and ensure consumer safety.
READ: BOC chief pushes digital shift to curb smuggling, secure supply chains
