Marcos Jr. Calls for Action Against Rice Smuggling

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in a speech to the beneficiaries of confiscated rice in the Zamboanga Peninsula on Tuesday, made a strong statement against rice smuggling and the presence of smuggled rice in the local market.

The government distributed the confiscated smuggled rice to some 5,000 individuals who had been identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Marcos Jr. emphasized the need to tighten the watch on illegal imported rice.

The issue of rice smuggling has been a pressing concern in the Zamboanga Peninsula, with recent seizures by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) highlighting the extent of the problem.

Engineer Arthur Sevilla Jr., the District Collector of the BOC in Port Zamboanga, revealed that a staggering 42,180 bags of rice with a commercial value of P44 million were seized earlier this year in Barangay San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City.

Just days ago, the BOC once again made headlines with the forfeiture of over 40,000 sacks of allegedly smuggled rice worth P42 million in Zamboanga City.

The inspection of a warehouse revealed tens of thousands of sacks of Alas Jasmine fragrant rice, adding to the growing concern of rampant rice smuggling in the region.

As President Marcos Jr. called upon the BOC to prevent the entry of smuggled rice, it is evident that stronger measures need to be implemented to tackle this issue head-on.

The impact of smuggled rice on the local market cannot be understated, as it not only undermines the efforts of local farmers but also poses potential health risks to consumers.

The confiscation of these smuggled rice shipments is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of rice smuggling.

Experts said strict monitoring at ports and borders, as well as increased penalties for offenders, are essential to curb this illegal trade.

The cooperation of law enforcement agencies, like the BOC, alongside the support of the local community, will be crucial in dismantling the networks behind rice smuggling.

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