DAVAO CITY — With the persistent reports of fake rice from China finding its way into local markets, here, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will zero in on the source of the fake rice.
In a text message to reporters, Friday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the President ordered her to form the task force.
De Lima said President Benigno Aquino III has tasked her department to form a task force to investigate the matter. The task force will be a composite team of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
De Lima also said that her department will be coordinating the conduct of the investigation with Kiko Pangilinan, Presidential Assistant on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization.
Samples of the fake rice from this city have been brought to the National Food Authority-Food Development Center (NFA-FDC) for testing, last week.
However, the results have been inconclusive since the sample should be at least one kilogram of uncooked rice to be subjected to scientific testing.
“Maliit ang sample na binigay sa atin mula sa Davao. Nahihirapan ang scientists dahil maliit ang sample. Scientists are having a difficulty getting a conclusive result,” Renan Dalisay, NFA-FDC administration, said. Dalisay also said that the issue of synthetic rice is one of public safety. (PIA)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
