Charges filed vs rice smugglers, hoarders — Bongbong Marcos

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. (Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday touted that cases have been filed against three firms linked to rice smuggling and hoarding.

“Sa katunayan, may tatlo na naman po tayong nahuling lumabag sa Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, sa Rice Tariffication Law, at sa Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. Kaya po ay ngayon ay kinasuhan na natin ang San Pedro Warehouse and Blue Sakura Agri Grain Corporation, ang F.S. Ostia Rice Mill, [at] ang Gold Rush Rice Mill ay kasalukuyang haharap sa patong-patong na mga kaso  dahil sa kanilang mga ginagawa,” said Marcos in a speech in Taguig City. 

(We caught three violators of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the Rice Tariffication Law, and the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. We have filed cases against the San Pedro Warehouse and Blue Sakura Agri Grain Corporation, F.S. Ostia Rice Mill, and the Gold Rush Rice Mill.  They are facing multiple cases.)

Marcos, the concurrent agriculture secretary, warned smugglers and hoarders of possible lifetime imprisonment and heavy fines.

“Sa ilalim ng Republic Act No. 10845, sinumang mapatunayang nagpupuslit ng produktong agrikultural ay maaaring makulong habang buhay at magmulta nang doble sa halaga ng inyong mga kontrabando kasama ng kabuuang halaga ng mga buwis, pananagutan, at iba pang mga bayarin. Habang sa ilalim naman ng Republic Act No. 7581, ang mahuhuling ilegal na nag-i-imbak ng suplay ay maaaring mapatawan ng kaukulang mabigat na parusa,” Marcos stressed.

(Under RA 10845, smugglers of agricultural products may face a life sentence and will be fined twice the value of the contraband, corresponding taxes, and other costs. Under RA 7581, hoarders will also face stiff penalties.)

“Binabalaan ko ang mga sumasabotahe sa ating ekonomiya: Kayong mga smuggler, kayong mga hoarder, at sindikato, tigilan na ninyo ang mga masama ninyong gawain,” said Marcos. 

(I warn those who sabotage the economy. Smugglers, hoarders, and syndicates stop your wrongdoings.) 

Marcos led a rice distribution activity for around 1,000 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries who received sacks of smuggled rice confiscated by the Bureau of Customs.  

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