Graft raps filed vs NFA personnel over missing sacks of rice

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities have filed criminal charges against two National Food Authority personnel in Agusan del Sur for illegally taking out the 1,600 sacks of rice in a warehouse in the province, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said Wednesday.

CIDG Chief Director Benjamin Magalong said they have filed cases of malversation of public funds and violation of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act Melvin Pacana and Gil Tabor last Aug. 5.

Magalong said that the cases stemmed from the disappearance of 1,600 sacks of NFA rice in a warehouse in Bayugan City last July 18.

During the investigation, Pacana, the warehouse supervisor; and Tabor, the provincial manager, admitted to bringing out of the sacks of NFA rice from the warehouse.

Authorities also discovered that there was a shortage of 1,890 sacks of NFA rice after an inventory last July 22, Magalong said.

Magalong said that other than the filing of charges against the two suspects, the CIDG probers are also investigating the possible involvement of the owners of the trucks used to haul the missing sacks of NFA rice and its drivers, including persons who are responsible in the disposal of bags of rice.

Probers also discovered that the missing sacks of NFA rice were brought to Catalunan Grande, Davao City.