DOJ, NBI told to curb hoarding, price fixing, economic sabotage

By Charles Dantes and Rey Requejo

PRESIDENT

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the smuggling of onion and other agricultural products, saying such acts were tantamount to economic sabotage.

“I have just given instructions to the DOJ and the NBI to initiate an investigation into the hoarding, smuggling (and) price fixing of agricultural commodities. And this is stemming from the hearing that we’ve conducted in the House, specifically by Congresswoman Stella Quimbo and the findings that they came up with,” Mr. Marcos said.

Upon the directive of the President, the Department of Justice will form a task force to investigate and prosecute onion smuggling in the country.

“The DOJ is one with the President in its commitment to eradicate onion smuggling in the Philippines,” the DOJ said in a statement.

“The Department is not only focused on investigation and prosecution but also on enhancing the regulatory framework and strengthening border controls to prevent future incidents,” the department added.

President Marcos emphasized the significance of these findings as suf-