MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday vowed to act promptly against profiteers preying on the general public and endangering the country’s food security.
“Upon the guidance of President (Rodrigo) Duterte as embodied in the SONA (State of the Nation Address) we will aggressively support agencies in waging war against unscrupulous traders who willfully manipulate market forces for their own selfish gains that result in higher prices of basic and essential commodities particularly rice and food products,” Albayalde told reporters in a press briefing.
“(T)hese acts go beyond the issue of fair trade and is a matter of food security that the state is duty bound to protect and defend,” he added.
Albayalde said the PNP Directorate for Operations will be working closely to review its memorandum and other linkages with other concerned agencies on the matter, particularly the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority, to identify rooms for improvement in law enforcement against rice smuggling, hoarding, pilferage and profiteering.
Last month, the DA has imposed set limits on retail prices of eight agricultural commodities sold in Metro Manila as it warned sellers to face sanctions for profiteering.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade Industry will implement an expanded suggested retail price on basic commodities starting in August. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
