Manila, Aug. 13 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) stepped up vigilance patrols against overpricing, hoarding and profiteering amid the adverse effects of tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon (habagat) to agricultural production and supply in several areas.

In a statement on Thursday, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said police units will coordinate with concerned government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as well as local government units (LGUs), to ensure that weather-related disruptions are not used as an opportunity to unreasonably increase the prices of agricultural products.

"The Philippine National Police will maintain a stri...