MANILA, Philippines — The government’s effort in battling overpricing, manipulation and cartel-like activities has led to the confiscation of an estimated 4,000 metric tons of rice, a Palace official said on Sunday.
Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has seized this much from three out of 12 warehouses they investigated.
“Tatlong bodega ang natagpuang may paglabag sa batas dahil hindi makapagpakita ng dokumento ang mga tinuring na rice traders at ang mga ito ay ipinadlock (padlock) na ng CIDG,” said Coloma in a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
“Ayon sa ulat ni NFA (National Food Authority) Administrator Arthur Juan, mula lamang sa tatlong bodega na siniyasat, may natagpuang 80,076 na bags ng bigas na kung tig-50 kilo ang laman, may kabuuang humigit-kumulang 4,000 metrikong toneladang bigas,” Coloma added.
In a similar development, Coloma said Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agriculture Modernization Secretary Francis Pangilinan reported that the Malolos Prosecutor’s Office has filed a case against a rice trading company.
The company was found violating Presidential Decree No. 4, for diversion of price and facing price manipulation charges under the Price Act, where they can face five to 15 years imprisonment.
Coloma also said NFA Administrator Juan reported that NFA-Bulacan Provincial Manager and NFA-Region III Director were both tasked to explain how NFA rice found its way to the hands of a private company when it should only be traded by cooperatives.
“Pinapatunayan lang nitong pagkilos ng ating pamahalaan na totoo ang hinala na meron talagang mga nagsasamantala at nagsasagawa ng mga paglabag sa batas na hoarding at pag-manipula ng presyo. Kaya ngayong nabulabog na sila, at nahulihan na ng konkretong ebidensya ang ilan sa kanila, at nasampahan na rin ng ng kaso ng ating pamahalaan, inaasahan nating luluwag na ang supply sa merkado,” said Coloma. (PND)