Tons of smuggled onions disappear?

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Where did it go? Some 3,692 bags weighing about 14,700 kilos were allegedly missing from the inventory of smuggled red onions seized by the Philippine Navy and the Bureau of Customs in Zamboanga City.

The Naval Forces Western Mindanao reported that it confiscated some 8,000 bags of red onions from a boat, MJ Marisa, on January 23, off the village of Cawit. It said each bag weighs four kilos. 

The seizure was part of two anti-smuggling operations which also led to the confiscation of 3,000 bags of onions from a trucker in the village of Cawit. 

“On January 23, 2023, the NFWM, together with the Philippine Coast Guard, Marine Battalion Landing Team-11, the Intelligence Operatives of Western Mindanao, JTF Zamboanga, and the Bureau of Customs District Zamboanga, successfully intercepted one ISUZU close van loaded with more or less 3,000 bags of smuggled red onions. Likewise, another watercraft, marked as MJ MARISA, was loaded with more or less 8,000 mesh bags of the same items. Each bag weighs four kilos, which sums up to approximately 44,000 kilos of smuggled onions that were seized,” the Naval Forces Western Mindanao said.

 

But the Bureau of Customs in Zamboanga City reported that it confiscated 4,308 bags of onions worth about P9.49 million. Another operation, it said, also resulted in the seizure of some 1,624 bags of onions from a boat marked Timzzan.

It said: “The Bureau of Customs Port of Zamboanga has intercepted, on two separate occasions, P9.49 million worth of imported fresh red onions loaded inside a watercraft in Zamboanga City. The first operation occurred along Barangay Labuan's coastal areas involving a jungkong-type motorized wooden watercraft marked as TIMZZAN. The vessel contained 1,624 mesh bags of imported fresh red onions, amounting to P2,598,400.” 

“The second operation involves 4,308 mesh bags of imported fresh red onions worth P6,892,800 in a jungkong-type cargo watercraft marked as MJ MARISSA at Varadero de Cawit in Barangay Cawit, Zamboanga City.” 

The onions were turned over to the Department of Agriculture and transported to its Research Center in the village of Talisayan for safekeeping, according to the Bureau of Customs.

Phone calls made to the Bureau of Customs here were all left unanswered. But a statement posted on its Facebook page said: “The BOC-Port of Zamboanga will continue to boost its efforts against smuggling in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s standing order to intensify border control measures to curb smuggling. 

Smuggling is so rampant in this southern port city that even red onions are now being sneaked into Zamboanga, a known entry point of contraband in Mindanao region. 

Just last month, authorities seized some 44 tons of smuggled red onions and 300 drums of fuel in separate operations here. The operations were launched by the Naval Forces Western Mindanao together with the Philippine Coast Guard, Marine Battalion Landing Team-11, Joint Task Force Zamboanga and the Bureau of Customs. 

The Navy said security forces also intercepted a truck transporting some 3,000 bags of onions in the village of Cawit. Another boat with 300 drums of smuggled fuel was also intercepted January 23 off the coast of Cawit, according to the Navy. 

“The vehicle and watercraft and the smuggled items are still being held and are subject for proper inventory before we turn them over to the appropriate agency for proper disposition,” the Navy said. 

“This accomplishment is part of Naval Forces Western Mindanao and Western Mindanao Command’s strong resolve and commitment to assist other government agencies and LGUs on their campaign to eradicate smuggling and other illegal activities in the region,” it added. 

Police last month also reported seizing nearly P9 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and onions in separate operations in Zamboanga Peninsula. 

Patrolling members of the 2^nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company and the Bureau of Customs, Intelligence and Investigation Service and Enforcement and Security Service intercepted a boat loaded with over 300 boxes of cigarettes worth more than P5 million off Tictabon Island off Zamboanga City. 

The 2^nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company and the Bureau of Customs also confiscated over six tons of onions when a police maritime patrol intercepted a boat off Labuan village in Zamboanga City. And members of the 2^nd Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Mobile Force Company, also intercepted a truck transporting 85 boxes of smuggled cigarettes valued at over P1 million at a checkpoint in Kumalarang town. 

Last December, the Bureau of Customs destroyed over some P395 million worth of smuggled cigarettes confiscated within six months in Western Mindanao. In May 2022, the Bureau of Customs also destroyed at least P110 million worth of confiscated cigarettes, according to District Collector Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte Jr, saying the contraband were seized during separate anti-smuggling operations in Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. 

And with all these apprehensions, authorities have not released the names of the owners of the contraband for a still unknown reason. But despite the anti-smuggling campaign, unscrupulous businessmen continue their illegal trade resulting in losses of billions of pesos in revenues. Many of the contraband - from rice to onions - find their ways to different buyers in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)