MORE than nine million kilogrammes of rice are stored in 356 containers the Port of Manila the ports of Manila, reports Manila's GMA Integrated News.

The Philippines Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture (DA) both said that the rice importers are possibly waiting for the prices of rice to increase before they release the stocks.

According to the report, importers are given 30 days to release their stocks upon the receipt of a clearance from the customs before it can be declared abandoned.

Customs said that rice importers may be taking advantage of this rule.

"That's what we're looking into also... kasi (because) we don't want a situation where they will also use the 30-day period to unduly keep their inventories at the hope of actually creating a false supply issue and therefore, spiking up the prices," said customs Assistant Commissioner Jet Maronilla.

The Agriculture Department has yet to determine the actions to be taken against the rice importers, but DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said that the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) explained to them that the rice importers might have been waiting for a good price before they release their stocks from the ports.

The Philippines Ports Authority said it would release the data on the number of containers that are already up for confiscation because it already passed the 30-day period, but the initial data from DA showed that two container vans or about 54,000 kilogrammes of rice could already be considered as "abandoned".

Amid this, consumer group Bantay Bigas called for an investigation into possible price manipulation and hoarding of rice.