The Amihan Federation of Peasant Women and Bantay Bigas are calling for an investigation into the Marcos and Araneta families, identified as the masterminds of the rice and agricultural product syndicate in the country. Aside from plundering the public coffers, they profit from rice importation, SOP, and remittances from incoming imported rice. They also impose and control policies on imported onions, sugar, and fish.

This month, former Ako Bicol Partylist representative Zaldy Co exposed the undeniable role of Lisa Araneta in rice smuggling, importation, trade, and pricing of agricultural products in the country. She can even put a stop to a rice investigation to prevent exposing her connections with smugglers and importers. She also used the Rice Liberalization Law and agricultural liberalization to cloak her transactions with a veneer of legality.

Peasants, women, and the poor have suffered heaps of crimes from the Marcos and Araneta families. Already victims of storms and floods, they even suffer from corruption in importation and pricing. These perpetrators—including the syndicate in the Department of Agriculture which follows their orders and covers up the agency’s anomalies—must be investigated and held accountable for their crimes against the people, the group explained.

“Any of Marcos’ schemes and deceits regarding the issue of palay and rice will not obscure their entire clan’s role as one of the roots of this crisis. They must be ousted for they are useless, a pestilence, criminals, and corrupt,” Amihan and Bantay Bigas said.