JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said he would direct the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an investigation into the reported manipulation of prices of pork and other basic commodities by certain unscrupulous groups and individuals.
Guevarra issued the statement as he signified the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) readiness to join the proposed sub-task force on economic intelligence that will look into unreasonable increases in the prices of pork, chicken and other foodstuff.
The government task force on economic intelligence is co-chaired by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
“We have expressed to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry our willingness to participate in the proposed sub-task group on economic intelligence,” Guevarra said.
In line with the manifestation, the DOJ chief said, he would issue a department order directing the NBI to gather “actionable information” that may be used to run after hoarders and profiteers reportedly manipulating the prices of pork, vegetables, and other basic foodstuff.
Earlier, the DA said the task force will focus its operations against unscrupulous traders, viajeros and wholesalers who have unreasonably jacked up market prices of pork, which in the case of liempo, has reached around P400 a kilo.
It noted that the price has remained unchanged even after the Christmas season and despite demand slack.
President Duterte earlier ordered the imposition of a price ceiling on pork and chicken for 60 days in Metro Manila starting February 8.
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