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Advocates Philippines
PBBM Orders Continued Warehouse Raids To Combat Rice Hoarding And Illegal Imports
Photo credit: PCO
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued a directive to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to intensify its efforts in cracking down on hoarders and illegal importers of rice. In a press briefing held at Malacañang on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio shared details of the intensified campaign to validate warehouses holding imported agricultural goods, particularly rice.
"As per the directive of the President, ang gagawin po natin is we will validate all warehouses that are storing imported rice and then upon validation, we will issue letters of authority to conduct inspection on these warehouses," stated Rubio during the press briefing.
The BOC's recent actions have included surprise inspections of rice warehouses in Bulacan. "In a recent service of a letter of authority, we served three letters of authority against three warehouses reportedly utilized in storing imported rice located at the Intercity Industrial Complex San Juan Balagtas Bulacan," Rubio revealed.
The three warehouses subjected to the inspection were identified as Great Harvest Rice Mill Warehouse, San Pedro Warehouse Intercity Industrial Complex, and FS Rice Mill Warehouse. Preliminary investigations revealed that the sacks of rice found within these warehouses were imported from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, with an estimated total value of 505 million pesos, according to Commissioner Rubio.
The owners and operators of these warehouses have been prohibited from retrieving the rice sacks until they provide the necessary documents proving the legitimacy of their rice importation. They have until September 8, 2023, to furnish evidence of payment for the required duties.
Rubio assured that legal action will be taken against those found responsible for any wrongdoing. He highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the BOC and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in prosecuting apprehended smugglers. "Doon po sa mga nakasuhan, tuloy-tuloy naman po kaming nagfa-file ng kaso and now we are in close collaboration, coordination with DOJ para mapabilis ‘yung pagsampa ng kaso at pag-file ng charges against the smugglers po na nahuli natin, na-identify natin," he stated.
The BOC's intensified efforts and collaboration with the DOJ reflect the government's commitment to eradicating illegal rice imports and ensuring the fair distribution of this essential commodity within the country. As the campaign progresses, stakeholders eagerly await the outcomes of the ongoing investigations and the subsequent legal actions that will be taken against those involved in the illicit trade of rice.
"As per the directive of the President, ang gagawin po natin is we will validate all warehouses that are storing imported rice and then upon validation, we will issue letters of authority to conduct inspection on these warehouses," stated Rubio during the press briefing.
The BOC's recent actions have included surprise inspections of rice warehouses in Bulacan. "In a recent service of a letter of authority, we served three letters of authority against three warehouses reportedly utilized in storing imported rice located at the Intercity Industrial Complex San Juan Balagtas Bulacan," Rubio revealed.
The three warehouses subjected to the inspection were identified as Great Harvest Rice Mill Warehouse, San Pedro Warehouse Intercity Industrial Complex, and FS Rice Mill Warehouse. Preliminary investigations revealed that the sacks of rice found within these warehouses were imported from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, with an estimated total value of 505 million pesos, according to Commissioner Rubio.
The owners and operators of these warehouses have been prohibited from retrieving the rice sacks until they provide the necessary documents proving the legitimacy of their rice importation. They have until September 8, 2023, to furnish evidence of payment for the required duties.
Rubio assured that legal action will be taken against those found responsible for any wrongdoing. He highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the BOC and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in prosecuting apprehended smugglers. "Doon po sa mga nakasuhan, tuloy-tuloy naman po kaming nagfa-file ng kaso and now we are in close collaboration, coordination with DOJ para mapabilis ‘yung pagsampa ng kaso at pag-file ng charges against the smugglers po na nahuli natin, na-identify natin," he stated.
The BOC's intensified efforts and collaboration with the DOJ reflect the government's commitment to eradicating illegal rice imports and ensuring the fair distribution of this essential commodity within the country. As the campaign progresses, stakeholders eagerly await the outcomes of the ongoing investigations and the subsequent legal actions that will be taken against those involved in the illicit trade of rice.
Aug 30, 2023
