NBI raid uncovers alleged rice repacking scam

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to file charges against several people arrested in a raid on a warehouse in Bocaue, Bulacan for allegedly repacking old rice with imported rice and selling it as new.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the suspects would undergo inquest proceedings as authorities finalize the charges, which may include economic sabotage.

“We have already conducted an inspection and this all leads to economic sabotage,” Santiago said in Filipino over radio dzRH.

“We are just waiting for the Department of Agriculture to determine the price and volume of the rice found in the warehouse,” he added.

According to Santiago, the operation was launched after months of surveillance.

Authorities apprehended the warehouse manager, two casers and an inventory officer.

However, the true owner of the warehouse has yet to be identified, as the arrested individuals have refused to cooperate with the investigation.

“They are not talking yet about who really owns the warehouse. We still don’t know if it’s a foreigner or a Filipino,” Santiago said.

The NBI had been monitoring the facility since December and launched the operation when the opportunity arose. — Cecille Suerte Felipe, Christine Boton