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| MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard activated on Wednesday its intelligence units to gather information against rice smugglers and their activities. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Danilo Abinoja issued the order amid intensified efforts by government to head off a possible rice crisis. Abinoja particularly ordered the agency's intelligence units to gather information about rice smugglers and areas where they keep smuggled rice. Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said they are now coordinating with the Bureau of Customs and Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group on the matter. Balilo said they want particularly to trace how smugglers will bring rice into the Philippines, particularly through Mindanao, and which ports and warehouses they use to store smuggled rice. - GMANews.TV |