DA investigates criminal liabilities over 23M kg of imported rice in Manila ports

Authorities are investigating whether criminal liabilities exist regarding container vans filled with imported rice that have been sitting in Manila ports for months.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported over 888 shipping containers containing approximately 23 million kilograms of rice, with around 300 containers already removed by their consignees over the weekend.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. warned importers of possible blacklisting if they are deliberately holding rice inside the ports and said the DA aims to identify companies behind overstaying imports within two weeks.

PPA General Manager Jay Santiago noted that there are 530 containers yet to be pulled out by consignees, with a deadline set for Oct. 1 before turning them over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.

The DA assured due process in investigating reasons behind the overstaying and maintained that rice imports must be released seven days upon unloading.

PPA emphasized that while there could be various reasons for delayed shipments, historically, these releases coincide with rice price hikes.