PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the swift investigation into the alleged disappearance of 23,015 sacks of seized smuggled rice in Zamboanga City.
The President, whom Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said was "visibly upset," also ordered the preventive suspension of individuals "who may be part of this scheme."
"The President was visibly upset over the missing 23,015 sacks of apprehended smuggled rice in Zamboanga City," Roque said in a press conference Thursday, October 4.
"The President has ordered an immediate investigation of this incident and that instructions were given for both the NFA OIC (National Food Authority officer-in-charge) and Customs commissioner to place on preventive suspension individuals who may be part of this scheme," he added.
According to reports, the missing bags of rice bore markings of "Emperor" and "Royal Crown 88" and were believed to have come from Malaysia.
(VoxPop Philippines)
