DA: Sellers of smuggled onions may face charges

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday warned those selling smuggled onions online or in markets that they may face charges for doing so.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, DA deputy spokesperson Rex Estoperez explained that they did not issue a permit to import white onions, thus those who were found selling this agricultural product will have their permits automatically canceled.

“Kapag imported at smuggled po ‘yan at kapag nakahuli tayo ng mga sinasabi natin na mga smugglers, kasama kayo sa accomplice kasi nakitaan kayo ng ebidensya,” he said.

(When it's imported and smuggled and when we catch the smugglers, you are included as an accomplice because you were found with evidence.)

“May pananagutan ‘yan sa ating mga kababayan at sa aming monitoring team… Kung ano ang mangyari sa mga consumers, sagot ba nila? ‘Yan ang mga katanungan and even though nakabili ka nga ng mura pero mas mahal ang magpa-ospital,” he added, referring to those selling smuggled onions online.

(They have a responsibility to our countrymen and our monitoring team... If anything happens to the consumers, do they pay for them? Even though you bought the onions for a cheap price, the hospital bills are more expensive.)

DA said on Monday that the smuggled onions intercepted by authorities were not fit for consumption after they were found with traces of bacteria.

Estoperez said the first batch of onions confiscated by authorities were about 100,000 kilos, which will all be burned or buried to be turned into compost.

He then reminded those who will buy these onions that the government will not be held accountable for what will happen to them if they consume them.

“‘Yung mga naglalabas sa merkado, paalala lang po, hindi namin sagot kung ano ang mangyari sa inyo kapag bumili kayo ng sibuyas o nagbenta ng sibuyas sa ating mga pamilihang bayan,” he said.

(Reminder to those who bring them out to the market, we are not responsible for what happens to you when you buy smuggled onions or sell onions in our markets.)—AOL, GMA Integrated News