Quezon city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued a stern warning to traders against manipulating the prices of agricultural commodities, with a particular focus on rice. This warning was part of his 4th State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa complex, where he emphasized the administration's commitment to dismantling smuggling operations and prosecuting offenders, labeling such actions as economic sabotage.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos highlighted the recent enactment of Republic Act (RA) 12022, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, signed in September 2024. This law classifies activities such as smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartels, and financing related crimes in the agricultural and fishery sectors as acts of economic sabotage. Offenders face severe penalties, including life imprisonment and fines up to five times the value of the involved products.

In his previous 3rd State of the Nation Address, Marcos underscored the importance of reducing rice and other essential commodity prices by enhancing local production and supporting the agri-fishery sector. This includes improvements from planting and harvesting to transport and marketing, with an aim to minimize losses. Marcos has achieved his goal of lowering rice prices to PHP20 per kilogram through the nationwide rollout of Kadiwa stores.

The Department of Agriculture declared a food security emergency for rice in February due to significant price increases. This allowed the agency to release rice buffer stocks to stabilize the market. By July, efforts against agricultural smuggling, hoarding, and profiteering were intensified, resulting in the confiscation of over PHP3.09 billion worth of smuggled rice and agri-fishery products. The Philippine National Police has also joined forces with the Department of Agriculture to enhance actions against agricultural smuggling.