PhP600-800/kilo – Who’d imagine that the prices of onion in the Philippines will sour this high? Because of this, Filipinos are trying all means to get their hands on this precious vegetable.
Recently, it was reported that 10 flight attendants were caught by authorities as they tried to smuggle 27kg of onions.
According to reports, staff of flag bearer Philippine Airlines arrived from Dubai (PR 659) and Riyadh (PR 655) last Friday. However, inside their luggage were smuggled 27kg of onions, 10.5kg of lemons, and 1kg of strawberries and blueberries.
These items were found in the suitcases of the cabin crew and were then confiscated. Lawyer Ma Lourdes Mangaoang, the deputy collector for passenger services said that the flight attendants didn’t declare the items which were found in their luggage.
“Importation is done through a certain process, where various clearances have to be sought,” says the agriculture attaché at the Philippine Consulate-General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Nolet Fulgencio.
As the price of this vegetable skyrocketed, more Filipinos from other countries tries to bring in onions that they keep in their luggage.
The said cabin crew members are now facing smuggling charges according to the Customs Modernisation and Tariff Act and the Presidential Decree 1433 or the Violation of Plant Quarantine Law.
