BY VICTOR REYES

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. yesterday said he does not see food riots erupting in the Philippines in the face of rising prices of rice and other food items because the security situation in the country "is basically very stable."

"We don’t see any immediate threats to national security whether caused by this rice crisis or otherwise," Teodoro told a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo.

The Philippines is the world’s biggest importer of rice and has been most exposed to a leap in international prices, which have more than doubled since the start of the year.

Local prices have soared by up to 30 percent since the end of 2007 amid concerns about tight global supply, hoarding and rising demand from consumers spooked by the possibility of shortages.

Worldwide, the surge in food prices has caused tensions in several parts of the globe. Haiti’s government fell on Saturday after more than a week of riots over food prices.

Also on Saturday, workers in Bangladesh rioted for hours over soaring food costs, and at least 50 people were hurt.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has said 37 countries could be facing a food crisis.

"I think in the history of the Philippines, there has never been any food riot. I think what this will do on the contrary is to give us more incentives and impetus to work together to solve the problem rather than fractionalizing the country. What we see in other countries, occurring here, I do not see," Teodoro said.

He said the rice problem is global and not specific to the Philippines.

"Even in Thailand we understand that there are problems… It’s endemic worldwide," he said.

Teodoro also said the military has deployed vehicles not to provide security to trucks of the National Food Authority delivering rice but to provide additional transport facilities to the NFA.

PNP chief Avelino Razon said it would be "impossible" for riots to occur in the country because there is sufficient rice supply.

He advised the public not to resort to panic buying.

He said there is no shortage. "It is just a matter of right distribution," he said.

An administration congressman belonging to the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) urged the House to grant Arroyo emergency powers to enable her to "immediately and effectively address the rice crisis in the country in the most efficient and judicious manner."

But Malacañang rejected it.

La Union Rep. Thomas Dumpit Jr., in House Resolution 512, said: "In view of the massive proportions of the crisis and in order to effectively address the same, there is a compelling need to treat the rice problem as a calamity and grant President Arroyo emergency powers in a restrictive scope."

He also warned that the continuing rise in the price of the staple and other basic commodities could cause "a social and political uprising in the country."

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the Philippines is now in a better position to face a possible rice crisis compared to other countries where unrest has broken out.

"I am sure that the lawmakers are well meaning but such grant is hardly necessary in dealing with this logistical problem. Rice is starting to come in. The Philippines is much better positioned than countries where problems have been reported," he said.

"A better distribution network, with the support of the religious groups and local government executives, will considerably ease the situation," he added.

Bunye said ensuring an effective distribution system is top in the agenda of the Cabinet meeting today.

Rep. Roilo Golez (Ind., Parañaque), minority bloc spokesman, opposed the resolution, saying it would be "funny" for Congress to initiate such move.

He said it is the President who should first declare an emergency "to clearly define the extent of the emergency."

On that basis, Golez said, Congress would consider a food crisis or rice crisis bill "giving the President powers similar to the water crisis and power crisis acts during Ramos administration, particularly emergency procurement, arrest of hoarders, profiteers, etc."