Driving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push for stronger border security, Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno led the inspection of seized smuggled pharmaceutical products and other goods valued at ₱53 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
The shipment, which originated from China, was initially declared as containing 1,144 pet cages.
A spot check revealed several undeclared medicines.
However, a spot check revealed several undeclared medicines, prompting the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service – MICP to recommend a 100% physical examination.
The examination yielded various undeclared commodities without the required permits from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
A total of 336 boxes of pharmaceutical products valued at ₱33.367 million, accounting for the largest share of the seizure, were discovered, along with 406 boxes of other goods, including electronics, cosmetics, automotive parts, hardware, and various accessories worth ₱19.692 million.
These findings constitute violations of Section 1400 (Misdeclaration in Goods Declaration) in relation to Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), as well as Republic Act No. 9711, or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.
“Our sustained intelligence and enforcement operations are driven by our commitment to safeguarding public safety and advancing the welfare of the nation. We will not allow illicit trade to undermine the safety of our people or the integrity of our economy,” Nepomuceno said.
“Sa mga nagbabalak magpuslit ng ilegal na produkto sa bansa na sisiguruhin ko at ng BOC na lahat ng responsable sa ganitong uri ng aktibidad ay mapapanagot.”
“Gusto ko lang linawin sa mga nagbabalak magpuslit ng ilegal na produkto sa bansa na sisiguruhin ko at ng BOC na lahat ng responsable sa ganitong uri ng aktibidad ay mapapanagot,” the customs chief added.
The customs head further underscored that these operations are a direct response to the directive of the President to strengthen border protection and heighten anti-smuggling efforts, as trade security remains one of the administration’s top priorities in safeguarding the welfare and interests of the Filipino people.
Meanwhile, MICP District Collector Felipe Geoffrey De Vera affirmed that the port will maintain heightened vigilance at the border in support of the Commissioner’s intensified anti-smuggling campaign.
In support of this intensified campaign, Atty. Franklin Anthony Tabaquin IV, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Deputy Director General for Field Regulatory Operations of the FDA, and representatives from Unilab Inc., were also present during the inspection.
Moving forward, the BOC remains steadfast in enhancing its intelligence-driven operations to curb smuggling activities, protect public health, and uphold fair trade practices across the country.
