Manila, July 28 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed to take decisive action against unscrupulous traders who would manipulate the prices of agricultural commodities, especially rice.

In his 4th State of the Nation Address delivered at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City, Marcos said the current administration is focused on dismantling smuggling operations and going after offenders, stressing that economic sabotage cases await them.

"Binabalaan ko ang mga trader na magtatangkang mag-manipula ng presyo ng palay o ng bigas, o manloloko ng mga magsasaka. Hahabulin namin kayo, dahil ang trato namin sa inyong ginagawa ay tinuturing naming economic sabotage (I warn traders who try to manipulate the price of palay or r...