Metro Manila, Philippines — Authorities have seized smuggled rice products worth ₱40 million in two separate operations in Las Piñas and Bacoor, Cavite, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Sunday.
The rice products came from Vietnam, Thailand, and China, the BOC said.
The owner was found to be selling a 25-kilo sack of rice from Vietnam at ₱1,320, or over ₱52 per kilo, exceeding the prescribed price ceiling
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered a nationwide price ceiling which capped the price of regular milled rice at ₱41 per kilogram and well-milled rice at ₱45 per kilogram.
“Prior to this inspection, an extensive investigation, surveillance, and test purchases were carried out,” the BOC said in a statement.
Authorities also granted the owner of the warehouse 15 days to submit documents, such as the proof of payment of correct duties and taxes from their supplier or importer, after they claimed they were not importers but local rice traders.
