Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said Monday he will asked the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to release two container vans of smuggled frozen mackerel intercepted at the Port of Manila, after laboratory tests confirmed the fish are safe for human consumption. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), an agency under the Department of Agriculture (DA), reported that samples taken from the seized mackerel met microbiological safety standards set by both Philippine and international food regulations.

Campos, O. V. (2025, July 22). DA wants confiscated fish released to market. Manila Standard, p. B4.