NFA, Customs officials relieved over smuggled rice in Zamboanga
MANILA, Philippines — Officials from the National Food Authority and the Bureau of Customs have been placed under administrative relief after some 23,000 sacks of smuggled rice went missing in Zamboanga City.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Zamboanga City District Lyceo Martinez and Customs Police District Commander Filomeno Salazar were relieved to ensure that they cannot influence the investigation.
"The president was visibly upset with the missing 23,015 sacks of apprehended smuggled rice in Zamboanga City," Roque said in a press briefing.
Last Monday, Customs and the National Bureau of Investigation were able to recover 5,000 sacks of rice at the Basulta Traders Corporation warehouse. The next day, they also recovered another 3,000 sacks at Suterville warehouse and 8,000 sacks at Kasanyagan warehouse.
Authorities are still looking for the rest of the missing smuggled rice, Roque said.
Customs also sent a team of investigators in Zamboanga City to look into the incident, as directed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
"This means that first—someone smuggled (rice). Number two—they can get it out in the market and three—there are warehouses that hide rice without releasing it to the market," Roque said in Filipino.
Roque said the president immediately ordered an investigation into the incident and directed the NFA and the Customs to place into preventive suspension individuals who may be involved in the scheme.
"The president was really angry because how do you lose 23,000 sacks?" Roque said.
The warehouses where the rice have been recovered have been placed under BOC control while investigations are ongoing. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
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