The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking the turnover of smuggled mackerel following clearance that these are safe for human consumption. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said he will formally ask the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to turn over two container vans of smuggled frozen mackerel intercepted at the Port of Manila. Laurel expressed his desire after laboratory results conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) found that all samples from the seized mackerel passed microbiological safety standards set by Philippine and international food regulations.

Pelonia, A. (2025, July 22). DA to ask BOC to turn over smuggled frozen mackerel. BusinessMirror, pp. A7, A12.