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The Senate committee on agriculture released on Thursday morning the five rice traders who surrendered Wednesday when an arrest order was issued against them for ignoring invitation in the Senate inquiry into the foiled smuggling of 420,000 sacks of rice from India at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, chairman of the agriculture panel, said the five traders have been released from the Senate detention room a day after they surrendered when they sincerely apologized and promised to attend future Senate inquiries.

The five rice traders are Elpidio Mendoza of the Sili Multi-purpose Cooperative; Emily Alabado, Ugnayang Magbubukid ng San Isidro Inc.; Juanito Evangelista, Riverview Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Maximo M. Hernandez, Samahan ng Magsasakang Kapampangan at Katagalugan; and, Crisanta Reyes, Malipampang Concerned Citizens Multi-purpose Cooperative.

The five rice traders sought the assistance of Candaba, Pampanga mayor Jerry Pelayo who accompanied them to the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms on Wednesday.

The traders were among the 20 rice importers who were ordered arrested for not responding to the subpoena to attend the Senate inquiry last November 7.

The five representatives of cooperatives are among the suspected fronts of rice smugglers after the 420,000 bags of rice from India worth P500 million was intercepted in Subic without the needed importation requirements from the National Food Authority (NFA).

Others ordered arrested include Juanito A. David of the Kapatirang Takusa Multi-purpose Cooperative; Michael H. Villanueva, Jaded Ranch Grains and Cereals Trading; Gil O. Calipayan, King Casey Trading; Sandra Lime, Lexant International Trading; Mary Joyce Lim, Loui London Trading; Willy Sy, Montevallo Enterprises; Enigo Espiritu, Nemic Fusion Rice and Grains Enterprises; Jason C. Colocado, Pure Country Trading; Dennis Gonzales, St. Dominique Rice and Foods Enterprises; Jenny A. Reyes, West Point Rice and Cereals Enterprises; Ricardo R. Gatuz, Formosa Mutli-purpose Cooperatives; Ronaldo S. Valdez, Sitio Muzon Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative; Zenadia Abanio, Sta. Cecilia Multi-purpose Cooperative; Felix Villena Sr., Ugnayan ng Magsasaka sa Kaunlaran; and Eugene Guiang Pioquinto, attorney-in-fact for Nemic Fusion Rice and Grains Enterprises, West Point Rice and Cereals Enterprises and St. Dominique Rice and Foods Enterprises. - PNA

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