DOJ FORMS TEAM AGAINST RICE HOARDERS
3 April 2008
Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez has created a five-man panel of prosecutors to go after suspected rice hoarders following reported overpricing and hoarding of the nations’ staple food supply.
In Department Order #190, and in pursuance to the President’s directive, the Secretary has formed the DOJ “Anti-Rice Hoarding Task Force” composed of SSP Roberto Lao as Chairman with SPs Romeo Galvez, Philipp Dela Cruz, Nestor Lazaro and Prosecution Attorney Ma. Rhodora Salazar as members of the team.
The said task force will handle the proceedings on inquest, preliminary investigation and prosecution of all cases relating to unlawful acts or omissions inimical to the preservation and protection of the country’s rice supply.
As this developed, the NBI has been tasked to extend assistance and appropriate resource and ground work assistance to the task force, as may be necessary and incidental to the expedient fulfillment of the directive. The task is also mandated to coordinate and seek assistance of other law enforcement and administrative agencies for purposes of probe, resolution and prosecution of violators/offenders.
The move is aimed at stopping and preventing rice hoarding and related crimes which could be considered pernicious acts of economic sabotage.
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