The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is investigating the 10 flight attendants from Philippine Airlines (PAL) after bringing home 40 kilos of onions and fruits from the Middle East.
In an interview with DZRH's Dos Por Dos with Anthony Taberna and Gerry Baja, Deputy Collector for Passenger Service Atty. Lourdes Mangaoang explained that the agricultural products were found in the luggage of flight attendants as they arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Jan. 10 from Dubai and Riyadh.
"Lahat po ng bagahe sa airport na dumarating diyan po sa arrival is subjected to X-ray scanning. Nakita po 'yan sa X-ray na may lamang mga prutas. Sa image, halatang mga prutas," she said.
With the records of smuggled products by airport crew members, they regularly conduct extensive inspections on items of luggage.
"[Ang] crew members ng mga airlines, as a matter of policy, they are also subjected to extensive examination. Because there's a long history of smuggling by flight attendants specially from the Philippine Airlines," she added.
However, citing Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) spokesperson Diego Roxas' statement, she then clarified that vegetables and fruits from Dubai and Riyadh are absolutely banned --- which will not be granted any import clearance.
"Hindi nila ito [onions and fruits] dineklara. First of all these goods are banned. Ang sibuyas po na galing sa Dubai at Riyadh are banned," she explained.
She also addressed the claim that the onions and fruits were for personal consumption.
"The importation of fresh fruits and vegetables does not distinguish between personal consumption and for commercial use. Kasi 'yang mga prutas na 'yan ay posibleng nagdadala ng peste at plant diseases," the deputy added.
Mangaoang then explained that the country is following implementations such as the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), or a treaty that aims to secure effective action to prevent and control the spread of pests of plant products, and the Presidential Decree 1433 which prohibits importation of species of animals capable of causing injury to agricultural crops.
Meanwhile, excluding Dubai and Riyadh, she also clarified that fruits and vegetables from other countries are allowed as long as it has an import clearance and Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) certificate.
The PAL earlier said that the 10 flight attendants were under investigation.
“Philippine Airlines does not condone any violation of customs regulations. We will impose the appropriate disciplinary sanctions subject to the results of the investigations. We are fully cooperating with the customs authorities on this matter. We reiterate to all our personnel the need to adhere strictly to customs regulations at all times,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.
The issue has emerged amid the price increase of onions in the country hitting P600-P700 per kilo.
