Sacks of white onions allegedly smuggled confiscated by authorities in Divisoria

Authorities confiscated sacks of white onions in Divisoria which were allegedly smuggled into the country.

The said onions had no sanitary and phytosanitory permits, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) said, according to a News Live report on Saturday. 

Food products without phytosanitary permit may not be safe for human consumption as these may contain certain chemicals, according to the BPI.

"Kapag wala pong phytosanitary permit ang food products, hindi siya safe kainin. Either meron siyang mga chemicals na nakahalo so hindi siya safe kainin," BPI project assistant Melvin Banagbanag said in a report by Nico Waje on 24 Oras Weekend on Saturday.

The confiscated sacks of onions, estimated to be worth P3.9 million, were loaded onto a truck of the Philippine National Police and brought to a warehouse of the BPI for inventory.

The onions will then be shred then made into compost.

The Bureau of Customs admitted some illegal shipments may evade inspection at ports, but authorities are vigilant in going after smugglers.

"Eto naman, hindi man namin nahuli sa pier, sa port of entry natin, pero we are exercising the visiting power of the commissioner. Hinahabol pa rin natin 'yon sa labas kaya hindi pa rin sila makakalagpas sa atin," BOC ating operations chief Special Agent Antero Prado said. —KG, GMA Integrated News