MANILA — Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. flagged some vegetables sold in Cartimar Market in Pasay, as they were suspected to be smuggled.

In a market inspection on Friday, Tiu Laurel said the vegetables, which are sold openly, have no import permit.

These includes luosijiao or tiger chili, onion stick, Chinese yam, and some mushrooms in packaging with Chinese characters.

"Meron pang sili na hindi ko pa nakita sa buong buhay ko. Ngayon ko pa lang nakita. Wala ako maalala na nag issue ang [Bureau of Plant Industry] ng ganon. So that leads me to conclude na those are smuggled goods," he said.

(There are even chilis I haven't seen in my entire life. I don't remember the BPI issuing import permits for that and that leads me to conclude that these are smuggled goods.)

Retailers assert they have been selling the vegetables for four years. They acknowledged these are imported but thay they are being sourced from local suppliers.

"Sa Divisoria saka sa Baguio, mga four years na. Itong mga imported na gulay, sa Divisoria po," said Lovamae Dagandan, a retailer.

(We have been getting them from Divisoria and Baguio for about four years already.)

The DA and the Department of Trade and Industry will look for the sources of these vegetables, as the retailers "likely do not know these are smuggled."

"Pwedeng katuwang ng DA at DTI ang BOC kasi sila ang pwedeng may seizure ng mga bodega, kung walang [Sanitary and Phytosanitary clearance], hindi siya safe," said DTI Assistant Secretary Agaton Uvero of the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau.

(We can partner with the Bureau of Customs because they have the power to open warehouses. If these had no permits, it's not safe for consumption.)