Duterte orders raid of rice hoarders’ warehouses

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE has ordered the police and military to open warehouses of the suspected rice hoarders following shortage of rice in many areas in the country.

“Ayaw ko sana magsalita pero may ganun ng order na po,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Duterte earlier warned that he would order military and police raids on the rice hoarders’ warehouses.

Roque, however, said Duterte has actually issued the order not only to the police, but to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año to open the warehouses.

“Mayroon na po. Binanggit po niya kanina sa DILG na talagang simula na iyong pagbubukas sa mga warehouse. Alam naman ng Presidente kung sino iyong mga hoarders na,” he said.

Roque said the directive shows government’s resolve to combat rice hoardings. “Magsa-sample na tayo nang mapakita natin na talagang seryoso ang gobyerno na labanan itong hoarding ng bigas,” he said.

Roque said some rice traders have been creating artificial shortage to jack up the prices of rice.

He also received allegation that the opposition has been using the issues of rice and other food products against the Duterte administration. “Pero ang sabi ko, the best way na para labanan itong negative PR (public relations) ay tambakan natin ng bigas itong ating bayan nang mapababa talaga ang presyo,” Roque said.

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.