BOC seizes P25 million smuggled rice

MANILA, Philippines — Four days after President Duterte warned traders against manipulating prices of rice, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday seized P25 million worth of rice reportedly smuggled from Thailand and Vietnam and passed off as locally produced rice.

The rice is consigned to Marcelo Rice Trading while the warehouse, located in Calamba, Laguna, is owned by Henry Uy and Jason Feng, BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said.

National Food Authority records show no import permit was issued to Marcelo Rice Trading. Lapeña said the consignee was given 15 days to produce proof it paid duties and taxes for the shipment.