Duterte orders “immediate, thorough” probe into disappearance of over 23,000 sacks of smuggled rice

Zamboanga City district collector, Customs Police district commander under preventive suspension 

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered an “immediate, thorough” investigation into the disappearance of over 23,000 sacks of smuggled rice.

“He was visibly upset..Nagalit talaga si Presidente. It’s incredible. How can you lose sacks of rice?” Roque said in a press conference on Thursday, Oct. 4.

According to Roque, based on a report from Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena, as of 10 a.m., Zamboanga City District Collector Lyceo Martinez and Customs District and Customs Police District Commander Felimeno Salazar have been meted out a preventive suspension following the disappearance of the 23,015 sacks of rice in September.

Of this number, Roque said around 16,000 have been recovered from different warehouses.

“Parehong opisyales ng (National Food Authority) at Customs probably have liability on this,” Roque said.