Rice smugglers
WITH the filing of charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against suspected rice smugglers, the government has demonstrated its determination to go after erring traders.
In the view of various quarters, including the country’s beleaguered consumers, it is likewise ample proof that the administration of President Marcos “is sensitive to public opinion.”
In a report last Sunday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed charges of economic sabotage against the three rice smugglers.
The charges stemmed from the inspection of four Bulacan warehouses conducted by BOC operatives on August 24.
In the said inspections, the government operatives, armed with a letter of authority issued by the BOC commissioner, found 200,000 sacks of imported rice in the said four warehouses.
The rigid inspection of warehouses in various parts of the Philippines is in line with the directive of President Marcos to wipe out hoarding and illegal importation of rice, the Filipinos’ staple food.
According to the Ilocano Chief Executive from Ilocos Norte, smugglers and hoarders are behind the price manipulation schemes that are driving up the price of rice in various parts of the country.
“Ang bukbok na lubos na sumisira sa balanse ng suplay at presyo ng bigas… (ay) ang hoarding at smuggling, at price manipulation na ginagawa ng mga mapagsamantalang negosyante,” he said.
Certainly, the government needs a large dose of political will to hit hard at unscrupulous Filipinos, particularly heartless traders, who continue to victimize the people.
