MANILA – The government has identified rice cartels and their protectors who will face the “full force” of the state should they continue with their ways, President Rodrigo Duterte warned Monday.
“To help stabilize rice prices, we also need to address the issue of artificial rice shortage. I now ask all the rice hoarders, cartels and their protectors, you know that I know who you are: stop messing with the people,” Duterte said in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“I hate to… Power sometimes is not a good thing. But I hope I will not have to use it against you,” he warned.
Duterte also directed government intelligence offices to focus their efforts on bringing down the supposed cartels.
“I am directing all intelligence agencies to unmask the perpetrators of this economic sabotage and our law enforcement agencies to bring them to justice,” he said.
“Consider yourselves warned; mend your ways now or the full force of the State shall be brought to bear upon you,” he added.
The Philippines last month ordered an additional supply of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice to increase the stock in the country, amid the reported shortage in National Food Authority (NFA) rice.
Some 1.5 million bags of rice have already arrived in the country, but have yet to be released due to the weather conditions. (GMA News)
