Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigation, and Coast Guard agents seized about P25 million worth of smuggled Peking ducks and other raw food products in a warehouse in Barangay Anunas, Angeles City, Pampanga on Thursday.
Authorities said among the confiscated products at the warehouse are frozen Peking ducks and boxes of fish balls, squid balls, vegetables, and pork.
Up to 1,149 boxes of Peking ducks were discovered at the warehouse in Pampanga worth P23 million.
The remaining amount is for boxes of fish balls, squid balls, vegetables, and pork that are also found in the warehouse.
According to Customs, such products are smuggled as imports of poultry products are still prohibited from countries affected by bird flu.
Peking ducks remained banned in the Philippines due to bird flu threats.
Customs did not specify who owns the warehouse and who may have smuggled such food products into the country.
Also read: P24.8M worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in GenSan
Himig Handog 2020 opens
Himig Handog, the largest songwriting competition in the country, returns to Original Filipino Music or OPM.
And for its 11th year, for the first time, ABS-CBN has opened the search for the best composition not only for pop and ballad entries but also for songs from other genres like rock, hip-hop, rap, reggae, and more.
“Wala tayong tema para sa Himig Handog 2020. Ang hinahanap namin ay magagandang kanta na pwedeng mag-uplift at magdala ng good vibes para sa ating listeners,” said ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo.
Former Himig Handog contestants shared their inspiration for those who want to compete.
“Binigyan ako ng pagkakataon ng Himig Handog na maiparinig ang kanta ko sa buong mundo. I held onto my what-ifs and gave it a shot, so huwag kayong matakot na mangarap,” said Richanne Jacinto, the songwriter of Himig Handog 2019 song finalist na “Paano Ba.”
The competition also provides a second chance for those wishing to revie music careers.
“Hatid ng Himig Handog ang panibagong buhay sa akin bilang songwriter at nagpapasalamat ako dahil dito,” said Karlo Zabala, composer of Himig Handog 2017 4th Best Song “Wow Na Feelings.”
The Himig Handog 2020 is open for Filipino songwriters from the Philippines and other parts of the world. Just visit www.himig.abs-cbn.com to register and submit your song in MP3 format. Entries will be accepted until June 23 (Tuesday).