Amid the implementation of a price cap to continuously provide substantial and affordable rice for Filipinos, rice hoarders still do their exploitative modus to make the price of rice skyrocket, following the discovery of P400 million worth of suspected smuggled rice and other imported products in Tondo, Manila by the composite team of government operatives.

The composite team of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service – Manila International Container Port and the Philippine Coast Guard discovered the estimated total amount of the goods found in the warehouses, P90.2 million were from some 36,086 sacks of imported rice from Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar last 16 September, according to Bureau of Customs Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy.

This was after the team implemented the Letters of Authority against three warehouses located in Antonio Rivera St. and Dagupan St. in Tondo, Manila.

"We were expecting to find rice, but it was still disappointing to see tens of thousands of sacks of rice in these storage areas, especially since our very own people are clamoring for more supply and to bring the prices down further even amid the price ceiling we now have," Uy said.

"But not only that, because the team also found millions worth of other goods that could hurt our markets more," Uy added.

Of the P400.2 million worth of goods found, P310 million were imported miscellaneous goods, such as children's toys, cosmetics, kitchenware, household wares, videoke machines, fabrics, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, shoes, apparel, and general merchandise.

CIIS Director Verne Enciso underscored the importance of verifying derogatory information and tapping the right people who can deliver tangible results.

"Of course, we always say this in the bureau—that without our field agents, we will not accomplish anything. The groundwork is the hardest part, but that is what our agents do on a daily basis," he said.

CIIS-MICP and PCG agents were not the only ones whose dedication was lauded as the official also stressed the "very critical roles" that the bureau's informants play in bringing these operations to fruition.

"This is another example of the tenacity and forward-thinking initiatives of our people to secure our borders and halt the smuggling and hoarding of this basic food on every Filipino table," Enciso added.