AUTHORITIES seized more than 20,000 sacks of rice, valued at P38 million, from a warehouse in Talisay City, Cebu, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
The rice, suspected to have been smuggled by a distribution company from Pakistan and Vietnam, was discovered at 11:30 a.m. inside a facility on R. Rabaya St., Barangay San Roque.
Presidential Assistant Frederick Go said the seized goods were examined and found to be illegal. The operation sends a “strong and clear message” that the National Government is united and determined to fight economic sabotage, according to Go, special assistant to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for Investment and Economic Affairs.
The operation was conducted by the Anti-Agriculture Economic Sabotage (AAES) Council, in coordination with Go, Regional Maritime Unit (RMU) 7 and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) was preparing to file a non-bailable economic sabotage case against the owner of the rice, identified as River Valley Distribution Inc. (RVDI). RVDI’s legal counsel, Christina Angelie Abellana, said they would pursue legal action, insisting the company complied with all government requirements.
This is the first time a rice warehouse in Central Visayas was raided under the new Republic Act (RA) 12022, or the Anti-Agriculture Economic Sabotage Law, authorities said.
RA 12022, signed into law by Marcos on Sept. 26, 2024, aims to protect farmers, fisherfolk and consumers by defining and penalizing crimes related to agricultural economic sabotage, including smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartel activities and financing of these crimes involving agricultural and fishery products.
Key features
Classification of crimes: Agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartel and financing of these crimes are classified as acts of economic sabotage.
Penalties: Perpetrators face life imprisonment and a fine of up to five times the value of the agricultural or fishery products involved.
Expanded coverage: RA 12022 covers a broader range of agricultural products, including rice, corn, beef, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, vegetables, fruits, fish, salt and other aquatic products in raw or minimally processed states.
New mechanisms: It establishes an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council and an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group to oversee implementation and enforcement.
Daily Price Index: The law mandates the creation of a daily price index to help determine whether economic sabotage has occurred.
Repeal of Previous Law: RA 12022 repeals RA 10845 (Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016), providing stricter enforcement and more comprehensive mechanisms to combat agricultural economic sabotage.
Report
Before the raid, Maj. Marlo Gabato of RMU 7 said the police received information about the warehouse allegedly selling smuggled rice. A letter of authority was secured last June 19, signed by Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, the DOJ and the AAES Council. The inspection took place the following day.
RVDI was asked to submit documentation, but the papers covered only 6,000 sacks of rice. Authorities suspected the warehouse held a larger quantity and sought a confirmatory search warrant from the Talisay City Court. After the warrant was granted, an inventory confirmed 26,562 sacks of palay (unmilled rice).
Police said the excess 20,562 sacks surpassed the P10 million value threshold for economic sabotage. A court-approved seizure order was issued on July 8.
Gabato said the rice was transported from Dumaguete City by a firm identified as Mixed Load.
The 20,562 sacks will be turned over to the National Government, but RVDI gets to keep the 6,000 sacks covered by a permit.
Lt. Col. Jerick Filosofo of CIDG 7 said stricter monitoring of rice smuggling is underway in Central Visayas. He said authorities will also investigate those involved in smuggling rice through the ports. / AYB