Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., ordered cops to ramp up their efforts to ensure consumer protection and public safety amid reports of rising meat and vegetable prices in the weeks leading to Christmas.
Nartatez said the PNP has deployed additional personnel to public markets, supermarkets, and wet markets to deter hoarding, profiteering, and practices unfair to the consuming public.
“We have been conducting strategic operations against those involved in any activity that takes advantage of our kababayans this Holiday season in coordination with concerned government agencies,” the PNP chief said.
Nartatez also emphasized that the PNP is closely coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and local government units (LGUs) to monitor price movements, support inspections, and prevent illegal profiteering.
To reinforce these efforts, intelligence-driven operations are being conducted to target hoarders and syndicates that artificially inflate prices.
He assured the public that the PNP is committed to keeping markets safe, orderly, and fair for all consumers on Christmas.
“We assure our kababayan of police action and maximum presence to ensure a peaceful and truly merry Christmas celebration this year,” Nartatez said.
