NBI to subpoena 3 big-time rice traders

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to ask three big-time rice traders to submit their business documents next week to determine if they have been engaged in rice hoarding and re-packing National Food Authority (NFA) rice into commercial rice.

Regional Director Ricardo Diaz, who has been tapped to head the NBI task force on rice hoarding, said he would be sending on Tuesday subpoenas to the three traders whose warehouses in Bulacan and Paco, Manila that were raided this week.

“The objective of the subpoena is for the rice traders to present documents covering the stock of rice found in their possession during the inspections particularly the NFA rice stock, NFA sacks, import papers and others,” Diaz said.

Diaz refused to disclose the name of the traders who would be invited since the NBI will send out letters next week. Authorities inspected the Intercity Industrial Estate in Bocaue, Bulacan last April 1, while they visited Paco on Thursday afternoon.

If the traders are proven to have engaged in illegal activities, the NBI will file charges against them for violating Presidential Decree 4 or the National Grains Authority Act and other applicable laws such as the Consumer Code of the Philippines. The two offenses, however, are bailable offenses.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier said it is considering filing economic sabotage or plunder charges, which carry the penalty of life sentences, against rice hoarders.

Diaz added the main objective of the bureau is to discourage rice businessmen from engaging in rice hoarding “thereby creating an artificial shortage and to make sure that NFA rice, which is subsidized by the government, is freely distributed at the price pegged by the government at P18 to P25 per kilo.”

Under the NBI task force on rice hoarding, the agency’s Field Operations Division (FOD) under Head Agent Roland Argabioso will conduct surveillance and raids, while the 10-man team of investigators under Diaz will conduct the investigation and paperwork necessary in the filing of a case.

Las Piñas, Taguig crack  whip on grain retailers

Las Piñas City Mayor Vergel Aguilar has warned rice traders in the city to practice fair trade or have their licenses revoked.

He advised business establishments engaged in grains retailing to unload their rice stocks to the public and put a price tag price on their retail grains to guide consumers.

Aguilar issued the warning as he ordered local government officials to strictly monitor rice prices in the city in a bid to prevent traders from taking advantage of the current crisis.

“Rice is the basic staple food in every home. In times of crisis we should be responsible enough to provide the necessary relief to our people to prevent unnecessary chaos detrimental to business and our country,” he said.

Aguilar created a composite team whose members are currently conducting inspection and monitoring rice traders to ensure that NFA rice are directly sold to residents and not passed off as commercial well-milled rice at a higher price.

In Taguig City, Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga mobilized the Local Price Coordinating Council to prevent unscrupulous traders from overpricing basic commodities, including rice.

“This impending rice supply shortage is a serious problem that needs to be addressed at the local level. We must ensure that there is enough supply of rice for everybody in the city and that they are not overpriced,” Tiñga said.

The price monitoring team will be led by Agriculture Office head Elpidio Javier and Market Management Office Administrator Cesar Osorio, in coordination with barangay officials and the local police.

The task force will go around public markets, rolling stores and rice retailers from all over the city to ensure that pricing of rice, as prescribed by the NFA, is strictly implemented.