The Philippine Government will implement stricter rules in its ports to prevent the possible entry of smuggled illegal drugs and prohibited chemicals.

Members of the Association of International Shipping Lines said empty container vans would be thoroughly inspected before being allowing to leave port.

In the past, only half of containers were inspected to check if a vehicle is really empty before it is allowed to pass the gate.

Under the new rules, both doors of containers will be opened along with refrigerating equipment where illegal items can be stored.

The initiative follows the recent recovery of more than P1bn ($21.9m) of cocaine bricks in Samar.