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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider P38-M smuggled rice discovered in Cebu

P38-M smuggled rice discovered in Cebu

Published Jul 9, 2025 07:42 pm
THOUSANDS of sacks of suspected smuggled rice are stored in a warehouse in Talisay City, Cebu. (Contributed photo)
THOUSANDS of sacks of suspected smuggled rice are stored in a warehouse in Talisay City, Cebu. (Contributed photo)


CEBU CITY – Sacks of suspected smuggled rice worth P38 million were seized from a warehouse in Barangay San Roque, Talisay City, Cebu on Wednesday afternoon, July 9.
Led by Frederick D. Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, the operation led to the confiscation of more than 26,000 bags of rice suspected to have been smuggled from Pakistan and Vietnam.
This was the first time that thousands of rice were confiscated in Central Visayas since the enactment of Republic Act 12022 or the Anti-Agriculture Economic Sabotage Law.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Agriculture Economic Sabotage Council (AESC), Regional Maritime Unit (RMU), and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Regional Field Unit.
“The goods were inspected, examined, and found to be illegal. This decisive action sends a strong and clear message to economic saboteurs, the government stands united and shall be relentless in its efforts against such illegal activities,” said Go.
The Department of Justice will file non-bailable charges against the owner of the smuggled rice, Go said.
Police Major Marlo Gabato of RMU-Central Visayas said the operation was conducted after they received information that sacks of smuggled rice were stored in a warehouse in Talisay.
Last June 20, a Letter of Authority was sent to River Valley Distribution Inc. asking them to present documents proving the legality of the purchase of the rice.
The police and the AESC discovered that only 6,000 bags of rice were legally imported into the country.
A confirmatory search warrant was applied before a court in Talisay.
When a warrant was issued, an inventory was immediately conducted where it was found out that the 26,562 bags of rice were stored in the warehouse.
A seizure order was immediately secured before the operation was conducted.
Gabato said the bags of rice came from Dumaguete City and were transported to Talisay.
Gabato added that 20,562 bags of rice will be turned over to the government.
The company was allowed to keep the 6,000 sacks of rice with necessary permits.
Christina Angelie Abellana, the legal counsel of the company, insisted that her client complied with necessary permits.
"We are exhausting all possible remedies because we believe that our client has complied with all the necessary requirements," said Abellana.

Related Tags

Smuggling Talisay City Cebu Rice Rice smuggling
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