17 charged for rebagging NFA rice

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday indicted 17 individuals who were arrested in Marilao, Bulacan last week for switching National Food Authority (NFA) rice to sacks of premium commercial rice.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano said the case was filed before a Malolos City regional trial court after preliminary investigation found probable cause for profiteering under Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act of 1992.

He said the prosecutor recommended a bail of P30,000 for each of the accused.

Charged were Jomarro Star Ricemill workers identified as Juancho San Luis, Roel Bulalaque, Jose Grimio, Delfin Remogat, Antonio Gonzales, Ronnie Esplana, Antero Saturno, Wilson Agapito, Wilcris Agapito, Cesar Bernardo, Joseph Reyes, Annisito Almenario, Ferdinand Sarto, Paul James, Maximo Macasinag, Albert Javier and Efren Brusola.

“The acts of the detained respondents show unity of action geared towards a common purpose, which is to re-bag the NFA rice to commercial sacks for sale at a higher price,” read the DOJ resolution.

The repackaged rice, bearing various brands, were sold at around P43 per kilo, as found by an agent of the Bulacan Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) who posed as a buyer.

“The finding of probable cause was further bolstered by the discovery of several NFA rice and empty NFA sacks which are all under the control of Jomarro Ricemill. Those NFA rice and empty NFA sacks show that the respondents were indeed involved in the said illegal activity,” the DOJ added.

The preliminary investigation of two other suspects who remain at large, Roberto and Regina Pualenco, was set on July 17.

NFA, NBI coordination

Meanwhile, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the NFA to enhance coordination in the investigation and campaign against rice-industry related crimes.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said under the agreement, the NBI would provide assistance to the NFA in performing its functions.

NBI Director Virgilio Mendez and NFA administrator Arthur Juan signed the MOA Tuesday night.

De Lima said Juan and presidential assistant for food security and agriculture Francis Pangilinan sought the assistance of the NBI, as they admitted that their agencies have limited manpower to investigate and seize smuggled goods.

“The NBI will assist the NFA in exercising its powers and functions under its charter, including visitorial powers and the power to seize and the power to confiscate products determined to be in violation of laws,” she said.

20 MT of rice every year

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said they are eyeing the production of around 20 million metric tons (MT) of rice until 2016 by increasing cultivation areas and yield per hectare.

In a statement, the DA said at least 60 million MT would be programmed for production in the remaining years of the Aquino administration in line with the department’s flagship Food Staples Sufficiency Program.

Rice production in the first quarter of 2013 was placed at 4.3 million MT, up by 3.28 percent from 4.17 million MT produced during the same period in 2012.

In 2013, rice farmers produced a total of 18.44 million MT, making the country 98 percent self-sufficient in rice.

Edilberto de Luna, DA assistant secretary for field operations and national rice program coordinator, said Central Luzon would continue to be the leading rice producing region. Central Luzon is expected to produce 3.52 million MT of rice this year and some 3.76 million MT next year. – With Czeriza Valencia, Eva Visperas, Dino Balabo, Ding Cervantes, Jun Elias