Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno led the inspection of twenty-two (22) abandoned refrigerated containers from several countries containing contaminated frozen meat and fish valued at approximately ₱178 million.
This operation supports the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to strengthen border protection and ensure food safety, particularly in preventing the entry and distribution of potentially harmful agricultural imports in the country.
“Isa talaga sa mga susi upang masawata ang pagpupuslit ng mga produktong pang-agrikultura ay ang maigting na pagbabantay ng BOC,” Nepomuceno said.
“Patunay rin ito na tuloy-tuloy at kongkreto ang ating mga aksyon at hakbang upang masiguro ang kaligtasan sa pagkain at ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng ating mga mamamayan.”
“Patunay rin ito na tuloy-tuloy at kongkreto ang ating mga aksyon at hakbang upang masiguro ang kaligtasan sa pagkain at ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng ating mga mamamayan,” the customs chief added.
The frozen meat shipments were placed under customs custody at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) after the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) confirmed compromised, cold chain conditions during 10% spot-check examination, which led to the thawing of their contents, raising serious concerns on their safety and quality.
Following a thorough inspection and assessment, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the DA, issued Notices of Violation (NOV) for non-compliance with the Food Safety Act and related regulations governing the importation of meat and meat products.
In line with the BOC’s enforcement efforts, the condemned shipments, consisting of thawed frozen meat, will undergo proper disposal through dumping. The BOC will continue to ensure that all violators are held accountable and that the country’s food safety standards are upheld.
Findings confirmed that the shipments consisted of thawed beef, pork, chicken, and fish with a total estimated net weight of 576,911.28 kilograms across 22 containers – including 16 from Brazil, two from The Netherlands, and one of each from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
Due to the importer’s failure to process the lawful withdrawal of the shipments within the prescribed period, the containers were declared abandoned in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
From 2025 to date, the BOC has filed a total of 72 criminal cases before the Department of Justice, 24 of which involve the smuggling of agricultural products, reflecting a firm enforcement posture sustained through legal action and prosecution efforts.
“The port will continue to ensure that all imported food products comply with legal, sanitary, and safety standards in line with the BOC’s mandate in ensuring effective border protection.”
MICP District Collector Felipe Geoffrey De Vera said that the port will continue to ensure that all imported food products comply with legal, sanitary, and safety standards in line with the BOC’s mandate in ensuring effective border protection.
The BOC will remain deeply committed to inter-agency coordination with partner agencies in carrying out its mandate to protect public health and assure the public that all enforcement actions will be pursued in accordance with the law.
