The National Food Authority (NFA) of the Philippines on October 24 requested the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to seize some 243,000 bags of rice shipped into the country via the Port of Davao without the necessary NFA import permit.
The Manila Times quoted NFA Administrator Orlan Calayag as saying that the illegal shipments were monitored by agency in coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the BOC in Davao.
In a letter to BOC Commissioner Rufino Biazon dated October 22, Calayag named five consignees of the smuggled rice from late July to early October 2013, including Bold Bidder Marketing & General Merchandise, Jade Bros. Farms & Livestock, Inc., Medaglia de Oro Trading, Silent Royalty Marketing, and Starcraft Trading Corporation.
He also informed Biazon that BOC personnel assigned at the port allowed the shipments to leave despite the lack of an import permit.
The NFA chief requested Biazon to file the necessary charges against the rice consignees and concerned BOC personnel.-VNA
