BOC Monitors Strictly Against Entry of Smuggled Rice in Cebu

(PIA-7) — The Bureau of Customs (BOC-Cebu) now strengthens its monitoring system against the transport of smuggled rice and fake imported Chinese rice to Cebu ports following the seizure of smuggled rice at Zamboangita port in Negros Oriental since March, this year.

Cebu Customs District Collector Ret. Gen. Arnulfo Marcos said that since his assumption in office in March 25, about 9000 cabans of smuggled rice from Malaysia have been apprehended at the Zamboanguita port. Caban is a unit of mass to measure rice before which corresponds to 50 kilograms which in this case, is equivalent to about 450,000 kilograms.

“Unfortunately most of the suspected smugglers that have been identified are our Muslim brothers,” said Marcos adding that these smugglers are not based in Cebu but mostly come from Sulu in Mindanao.

Marcos likewise bared they are on the lookout of the possible entry of fake imported Chinese rice to Cebu following reports of smuggled fake imported Chinese rice to Philippine shores. “The BOC is on active watch to prevent such smuggling acts to happen,” he added.

“With the help of other agencies like the National Food Authority, we can easily identify fake rice from the real ones,” said Marcos. (mbcn/fcr/PIA7)