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VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Customs officials flip-flop on probe into PAL crew’s importation of onions and fruits

WHAT WAS CLAIMED

The Bureau of Customs was conducting “further investigation” on the Philippine Airlines flight crew from Dubai and Riyadh for undeclared importation of onions and fruits, a BOC press release said on Jan. 17.

OUR VERDICT

Flip-flop:

On Jan. 16, Lourdes Mangaoang, Customs deputy collector for passenger service at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, said the BOC was not investigating the PAL flight crewmembers. She said it was PAL that was conducting the probe for violating a policy against importation.

By VERA Files

Jan 23, 2023

1-minute read
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Officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) gave contradicting statements on an incident involving members of a Philippines Airlines (PAL) crew who brought undeclared agricultural products into the country.

Airport authorities had confiscated alleged illegally imported agricultural products found in the luggage of 10 PAL flight attendants who flew in from Dubai and Riyadh on Jan. 10.  The BOC x-ray screening had revealed various agricultural products, such as onions and fruits, that did not have the required clearance from the Bureau of Plant Industry inside the luggage of the crew.

Editor’s note: This article was updated on Jan. 30, 2023 to include the video fact check.

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