MANILA, Aug. 29 -- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Friday urged the public to reject retailers selling imported rice above PHP43 per kilogram, warning that some sellers may be exploiting the upcoming 60-day import suspension starting September 1.

The PHP43/kg cap is the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) set for 5 percent broken imported rice.

"Panawagan ko sa ating mga consumers, huwag kayong papayag o huwag kayong bibili ng imported rice na higit sa PHP43 na MSRP na ating itinakda (I call on consumers to neither allow nor buy imported rice that is above the PHP43 per kg MSRP)," Tiu Laurel said in an interview, stressing that consumers should also call out retailers selling rice at a higher price, he added.

Those ...