17 nabbed for hoarding, sale of overpriced medical supplies

RUNNING AFTER HOARDERS. Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) confiscate boxes containing overpriced N88 face masks in an anti-hoarding operation in Cavite on Tuesday (March 24, 2020). Authorities also seized overpriced ethyl alcohol and hand sanitizers in separate operations as part of efforts to crack down on hoarders and profiteers amid the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of CIDG via PNA)

MANILA – Authorities have arrested 17 suspects for profiteering, overpricing, and hoarding of medical supplies during police operations in different areas of the country, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Wednesday.

In a report submitted to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, members of the CIDG in Cavite and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) seized over PHP1.3 million worth of N88 disposable face masks from Lai Geou Tee, 28, a Malaysian national; and Hasan Meahar Asanam 43, a Filipino-Chinese; and five others in an entrapment operation in Barangay Maduya in Carmona town Tuesday night.

The operation stemmed from the information received by the CIDG from a concerned citizen that a certain Vanesa Zolayvar is selling expired and overpriced face masks in Cavite through Facebook.

A CIDG poseur buyer transacted with Zolayvar through her cellular phone number and inquired on the price of the disposable face mask, to which she said that a box containing 50 pieces of face masks costs PHP1,500.

Seized during the operation were 931 pieces of plastic packs containing 50 pieces of disposable face mask/per pack without label; PHP500 marked money; 15 bundles of boodle money; one unit Hyundai H-100 white vehicle with “Ambulance” marking and five assorted cellular phones.

In Ilocos Norte, 32-year-old businesswoman Rochelle del Rosario was apprehended by joint operatives of the CIDG Ilocos Norte and DTI for manufacturing and selling water-based disinfectants and hand sanitizers without proper labels or documents in Barangay 8. San Agustin, Paoay town on Tuesday.

Del Rosario yielded 113 pieces of one-liter plastic bottles containing water-based disinfectants sold at PHP150 each and 13 pieces of one-liter plastic bottles filled with hand sanitizer worth PHP200 each.

In Albay, Roberto Equiaga, 56, was caught in the act of selling 30 pieces of 250 ml isopropyl alcohol at PHP160 each in Barangay 16, Kawit East, Washington Drive, Legazpi City.

Also seized from him were buy-bust money and a transaction receipt.

The CIDG said that the price of the items is higher than the price set by the DTI.

In Cebu, suspects Queeny de los Reyes and Jan Jan Alano were caught selling overpriced alcohols and hand sanitizers without a permit from the Food and Drug Administration.

Seized from them were 51 one-liter bottles of hand sanitizers, 126 one-liter bottles of 70-percent ethyl alcohol, and boodle money.

Meanwhile, six suspects were apprehended for the same offense in Iloilo City at around 6 p.m.

The suspects identified as Princess Angelo Jamolo, Conrado Sorongon Jr., Jennifer Frayco, Gracel May Castro, Erlyn Veras, and Ernalyn Veras yielded around 220 bottles of alcohol, boodle money, and a motorcycle.

The operation stemmed from the information and complaints received on the alleged hoarding and overpriced selling of alcohol in Iloilo City.

Upon verification of the complaints, authorities discovered that the suspects are indeed selling alcohol at PHP290 per liter, much higher than the price range of PHP47 to PHP60 set by the DTI.

Violations of RA 7581 as amended by Republic Act 10623 (Price Act) and RA 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines), all in relation to Proclamation No. 922 wIll be filed against the arrested persons.