Rice stowed in two warehouses and allegedly sold at an exorbitant price of P1,320 per 25-kilo bags were jointly inspected by the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), the Port of Manila (POM) Legal Service, the Philippine Coast Guard and barangay officials.
The warehouses were in Pulang Lupa, Las Pinas, and in Bacoor, Cavite which had been subject of prior extensive investigation, surveillance, and test purchases and found to have stored rice products from Vietnam, Thailand, and China, with an estimated value of P40 million.
It was established that the trader was selling 25-kilo sacks of Vietnamese rice for P1,320 in the market, equivalent to P52.8 per kilo.
This significantly exceeded the Department of Agriculture’s prescribed retail price ranging from P41 to P45 per kilo for well-milled and regular-milled rice.
The warehouse owners claimed they were not importers but mere rice traders, prompting Customs operatives to demand proof of payment of the correct duties and taxes from their supplier or importer.
Authorities granted the owners 15-days to submit the necessary documentation to validate the importation and payment of duties and taxes.
The joint operation was carried out in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify efforts against rice smuggling, hoarding and illicit trading and at ensuring the staple remains affordable for Filipinos.
