THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended legal action against six individuals, including three government officials, accused of stockpiling and profiteering from last year’s horrendous onion price increase.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla declined to reveal their identities to prevent prejudicing the prosecutors’ assessment.
In addition to hoarding and profiteering, Remulla hinted at the possibility of filing economic sabotage charges against them.
“Government officials are included in this because we believe they are truly implicated in this case,” Remulla stated. “This is just the beginning. We have more cases to file, and the NBI’s investigation is ongoing.”
The NBI’s recommendation stems from the exorbitant onion prices observed in the market last December, reaching as high as P537 per kilogram despite a producer price of only P8 to P15 per kilo.
This action aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for law enforcement agencies to target speculators and onion hoarders.
