Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Thursday, Feb. 4, assured that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will run after hoarders and profiteers of food products, particularly basic commodities.
Guevarra explained the NBI’s move is part of the commitment of the DOJ after being included in the proposed sub-task group on economic intelligence that will be co-chaired by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
“We have expressed to the Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry our willingness to participate in the proposed sub-task group on economic intelligence,” Guevarra said.
“Pursuant to that manifestation, the DOJ will issue a department order directing the NBI to gather actionable information that may be used to run after hoarders and profiteers reportedly manipulating the prices of pork, vegetables, and other basic foodstuff,” he assured.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo B. Nograles has announced that President Duterte has approved the creation of the sub-task group.
“If there are groups or businessmen taking advantage of this pandemic to profit from the people, we are not going to let that pass,” Nograles said.
The creation of the sub-task group was recommended by the DA which sought to have a look into the minimum access volume (MAV) or “the volume of quantity of a specific agricultural commodity that would be imported with a lower tariff.”