Round scad or “galunggong” do not have a “nationality,” and thus Filipinos should have no problems with this variety of fish that is imported from other countries to augment the local food supply, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Tuesday. However, Senator Cynthia A. Villar exhorted the public not to eat galunggong—once regarded in the country as the poor man’s fish—as it could be laced with formalin or embalming fluid. In responding to critics of the government’s move to import galunggong, Piñol told ANC Headstart the Philippines has long imported many types of fish to augment its supply especially during the closed fishing season.

Araneta, M. R. (2018, August 29). ‘No-nationality’ galunggong causes uproar over import plan. Manila Standard,pp. A1, A2.