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PNP steps up drive vs hoarding, profiteering of goods during Holiday season

Philippines | National

PNP steps up drive vs hoarding, profiteering of goods during Holiday season

By Aaron Recuenco

photo: PNP

Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered all police units to assist in ensuring consumer protection and public safety amid reports of rising meat and vegetable prices in the weeks leading to Christmas.

Aside from police visibility Nartatez said strategic operations are also being carried out against those involved in hoarding of basic goods and profiteering at the expense of Filipinos.

“We have been conducting strategic operations against those involved in any activity that takes advantage of our kababayan this Holiday season in coordination with the concerned government,” said Nartatez.

He said the PNP has deployed additional personnel to public markets, supermarkets, and wet markets to deter hoarding, profiteering, and potential panic-buying and other disturbances.

Nartatez emphasized that the PNP is closely coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and local government units (LGUs) to monitor price movements, support inspections, and prevent illegal profiteering.

To reinforce these efforts, intelligence-driven operations are being conducted to target hoarders and syndicates that artificially inflate prices.

Nartatez assured the public that the PNP is committed to keeping markets safe, orderly, and fair for all consumers this Christmas.

““We assure our kababayan of police action and maximum presence to ensure a peaceful and truly merry Christmas celebration this year,” he said.

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