MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo paid a surprise visit Wednesday to the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation to get updates on government’s drive against rice hoarders.
At the NBI, Arroyo talked to Director Nestor Mantaring and Anti-Rice Hoarding Task Force chief Ricardo Diaz about the inspection of warehouses and surveillance operations against unscrupulous traders jacking up rice prices.
The DoJ office was Arroyo’s next stop.
"The President wants to know what case should be filed first on the un-milled rice discovered by the NBI,” Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said.
“I told her that we have to prosecute them first on the fact that they have no license because we have to prevent the possibility of losing evidence," said Gonzalez, who admitted he was surprised by the unannounced visit.
He said President Arroyo wants cases against rice hoarders be expedited. "That's why she's asking me where will the deadline be."
NBI spokesman Allan Contado said this was the third visit of the President in a month.
On Thursday, 13 rice traders from Quezon City, Bulacan, Pampanga, Las Pińas and Manila are expected to submit their counter-affidavits on charges they illegally hoarded rice.
