President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marocs Jr. on Tuesday called smugglers, hoarders, and price manipulators as "bukbok" or "weevils" who are causing the ecological balance of rice supply and demand in the country.
"Ang bukbok na lubos na sumisira sa balanse ng suplay at presyo ng bigas sa merkada [ay] ang hoarding at saka ang smuggling, at price manipulation na ginagawa ng mapagsamantalang mga negosyante," Marcos said in his speech in Manila where he distributed smuggled rice to more than 100 benefiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
According to the President, majority of "weevils" are smuggling and safekeeping rice supplies in their warehouses for their personal interests.
"Hindi nila dadalhin sa palengke, hindi nila ire-release, itatago nila iyan para mababa ang supply at tumaas nang tumaas ang presyo. Kapag mataas na ang presyo, saka lang nila ilalabas para kumita sila ng malaki. Hindi naman tama iyon," he stressed.
"Ang kanilang ginagawa ay nagpapahirap sa taong bayan para lang sila ay makabulsa ng malaking pera," Marcos added.
The Chief Executive, who also sits as the Agriculture Chief, said he had ordered all government officials and agencies to tigthen the enforcement of policies and laws against unlawful agriculture acts.
"Sa Bagong Pilipinas, bawal ang smuggler, bawal ang hoarder, at bawal din ang mga mapang-abuso [at] mapagsamantala sa ating bayan," he pointed out.
The President assured that his administration would not stop until rice smugglers and hoarders are dismantled.
