Marcos vows full force of law vs smugglers, hoarders

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday warned that the government will use the full force of the law against smugglers and hoarders whom he described as «weevils» that destroy the balance of rice supply and demand in the country.

In his speech during the distribution of rice at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila, the President ordered government officials to strictly implement policies and laws to address rice issues in the country.

«The weevils that totally destroy the balance between supply and price of rice in the market is hoarding and smuggling, and price manipulation done by erring businessmen,» Marcos said.

«I have instructed all concerned officials, authorities, and agencies to strictly enforce policies and laws that are related to rice issues,» he added.

Marcos, also the concurrent secretary of the Department of Agriculture, admitted that stopping smugglers, hoarders, and price manipulators will not be easy as they have been operating for so long, but the government is determined to end their illegal operation.

He stressed that smugglers, hoarders and price manipulators have no space in the «Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines)» campaign of the administration.

«I know that this fight will not be easy because they have been there for so long. But I am determined that the entire government could stop their illegal operations,» Marcos said. «This will serve as a warning to all smugglers and hoarders that rice will be guarded.»

The President urged the public to help the government fight against smuggling and hoarding of the staple.

Marcos led the distribution of rice to 1,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), with each