MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is continuously working with government agencies in its crackdown against suspected rice hoarders.
“Sa ngayon (For now), we’re having close coordination sa (with) DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and DA (Department of Agriculture) and NFA (National Food Authority). Binigay naman natin lahat (We have given everything). Continuous monitoring natin sarice hoarders. Meron na nga (We have continuous monitoring on rice hoarders. We already received an) order coming from the Office of the President,” PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a press briefing Monday.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the PNP to inspect the warehouses of the suspected rice hoarders.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, however, said Duterte has actually issued the same order not only to the PNP but also to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año.
He said the directive shows government’s resolve to combat rice hoardings.
Roque, meanwhile, clarified that there was no rice shortage in the country, assuring that the supply will be sustained with the arrival of additional imported rice this year.
Roque said some rice traders have been creating artificial shortage to jack up the prices of rice in the country.
He also received allegations that the opposition has been using the issues of rice and other food products against the Duterte administration.
Roque said the decision of the National Food Authority Council to allow private rice dealers to import supply beyond the minimum access volume (MAV) would also stabilize the prices and supply of the staple.
The Philippines is allowed by the World Trade Organization to import rice with a MAV of 800,000 metric tons per year. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
