Usual suspects involved in onion supply, price manipulation - group

The same individuals who have been identified as involved in hoarding and manipulating the supply and prices of onions during the investigation of the House of Representatives and the Senate are the same people behind the current slump in farmgate prices of the bulbs, according to the head of a farmers’ group.

In a radio interview yesterday, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura executive director Jayson Cainglet said that the unscrupulous traders are still involved in old activities as nobody has been charged despite having been already identified during the probes conducted by the two houses of Congress.

“There were many hearings conducted for a long time, but sadly, nobody was charged despite the fact that those involved in the manipulation of prices (have been) identified,” Cainglet added, referring to the hearings where certain individuals allegedly behind the hoarding and manipulation of the supply and prices of the bulbs were invited by the House committee on agriculture and food.

“Those involved in hoarding and manipulation in the last two years are the same group and individuals tagged by farmers who still control the supply and release of the onions,” he said.