DA order allegedly covering up fish smuggling, says Navotas Mayor Tiangco

Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco on Wednesday said an order issued by the Department of Agriculture is being used to cover up the smuggling of fish in the country.

“Natatakpan nila 'yung mga imported na isda nila doon sa (They are covering up the imported fish through the) permit issued because of that special order,” Tiangco said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

He was referring to Special Order No. 1077 that revoked Special Order No. 1202 which prohibits the importation of galunggong, mackerel, moonfish, and squid for processing purposes.

According to him, some of those who obtained this permit for importation were actually not using the supply of fish for processing but were distributing them to wet markets.

“Ang ginagawa nila is kukuha sila ng import permit for processing kuno, na galunggong ang i-import nila, and then ibebenta sa wet market,” he said.

(What they are doing is they will obtain permit for processing supposedly, that they will import galunggong, and then they will sell it to wet market.)

According to Tiangco, he sent a letter to the DA, which is under the leadership of Secretary William Dar, about the matter but he has yet to receive a response.

He added Special Order 1077 has been revoked but it was imposed again.

GMA News Online sought the comment of Dar on the matter. He has yet to reply.

Tiangco made the statement as he defended himself after a report of the Senate committee of the whole included him in the list of officials who are allegedly protectors and smugglers of agricultural products.

He said there might be a smuggling syndicate that is targeting him because the Navotas government has been investigating their illegal activity.—AOL, GMA News