NBI to run after rice hoarders, cartels

MANILA, Philippines — Traders involved in rice hoarding and cartel activities could face criminal charges and even warrantless arrest, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra issued this warning as he bared yesterday that he has tapped the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to join other agencies in the government’s drive against rice hoarders and cartel groups.

“For hoarders, they could possibly be indicted for economic sabotage. But if there is cartel in rice supply found, those found to be involved in such illegal business practice could face cases of violations of Competition Act or anti-trust law,” he told The STAR.

Guevarra further stressed that the NBI may immediately arrest traders found to be hoarding rice supply for the purpose of manipulating prices in the market.

“There is no need to first secure arrest warrant in those cases since economic sabotage is a continuing offense and therefore there could be warrantless arrest,” Guevarra pointed out.

The DOJ chief made the statement after several senators called on the DOJ to pursue cases against rice hoarders.

Guevarra also disclosed that he has directed the NBI to run after traders and companies involved in rice hoarding and cartels that have reportedly been causing shortage in rice supply in the country in coordination with other agencies.

“There is actually a long-standing order for the NBI on this, but recent developments call for intensified action,” Guevarra told The STAR.

The justice chief confirmed that the NBI’s regional offices have actively conducted operations recently – in coordination with relevant agencies like the National Food Authority – to hunt down rice hoarders all over the country.

The NFA recently sought the help of the NBI in intensifying its fight against rice traders, who are illegally rebagging and diverting NFA rice.

The agency has coordinated with the NBI for the conduct of warehouse inspection nationwide to catch traders who may be hoarding rice or diverting NFA rice for greater profit.

Composite teams of the NFA and NBI conducted surprise raids recently in private rice warehouses in Nueva Ecija but did not find any signs of hoarding or cartel.

But in Cagayan de Oro City, local NBI agents were able to identify several big-time businessmen allegedly involved in rice hoarding.

Earlier this month, President Duterte warned rice traders he would not hesitate to order military and police raids on warehouses as part of emergency measures to address any rice shortage.

Duterte gave the warning following reported rice shortages in certain parts of the country due to hoarding of supply by rice traders.