Ombudsman, NBI probe stolen hot rice

The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas will conduct a probe on the disappearance of smuggled rice that were kept inside the Cebu International Port (CIP).

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol yesterday docketed a complaint based on media reports.

He said a fact-finding investigation will be made by investigators to find out how several sacks of rice got stolen from the CIP where strict security measures are being implemented.

Apostol said they will also wait for the report of the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding the incident to find out the actual number of the missing smuggled rice.

He said there should have been an inventory of the smuggled rice before the loss to have an accurate report as to the missing items.

“If there was no inventory made prior to the discovery of the missing items, then we will have a problem,” Apostol said.

He said the custodian of the missing sacks of rice will have to be accountable for the goods.

“Those who may be impleaded in the case includes the district collector, security guards, among others. Charges will surely be filed against those behind the crime,” Apostol explained.

The possible charges that may be filed against concerned individuals, he said, include negligence, malversation of government property and a violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“If there is  evidence, we will never forgive any public employee or official. We are serious in performing our duties,” he said.

The BOC and the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) are conducting separate investigations on how the smuggled rice were pilfered from the CIP.

An Inquirer report last July 20 also indicated that the National Bureau of Investigation has been requested by the Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp. (Opascor), custodian of the cargo, to conduct an investigation.

Malou Geyrosaga, representative of Opascor, said Opascor sought the investigation because “we deemed it to be our obligation.”

Based on the latest inventory, the missing rice reached more than 500 sacks already. The lost sacks of rice could be worth at least P780,000.

The missing rice was stored at the CIP which is under the supervision of the Cebu Port Authority. The smuggled rice was supposed to be sold in a public auction last June 25 and July 18.

However, Customs Commisioner Ruffy Biazon reportedly halted it upon the instructions of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima.

The rice is part of the P1.2 billion worht of smuggled rice confiscated by the BOC last March and April.

Corruption in the BOC was highlighted in the 4th State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Bengino Simeon Aquino III yesterday.

Biazon has offered to resign last night. /Ador Vincent Mayol, Reporter with Inquirer reports