10 arrested for selling overpriced surgical masks, alcohol

Authorities arrested ten people for selling overpriced alcohol and surgical masks in a series of police operations in the cities of Manila and Las Piñas City recently.

The Manila Police District-Station 1 reported arrested the suspects Rose Ann Gaddi, 24; Cristina Samson, 34; Antonio Samson Jr., 36; Joanne Alejandro, and Andrea Nieves, 22 in a buy-bust operation at Raxabago Street cor. Juan Luna, Brgy. 151 Tondo, 3:30 pm.

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Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) approaches MPF to ask help in catching the suspects who were selling alcohol for a much higher price in social media. The operation’s target was Gaddi, but his four accomplices were also nabbed.

Authorities seized four boxes containing 15 pieces of Family brand alcohol each from the suspects. The suspects were selling a liter of alcohol for P500.

Also read: Vegetable vendor arrested for reproducing quarantine pass in Cebu

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10 arrested for selling overpriced surgical masks, alcohol

It was 9:50 pm when the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Intelligence Unit 300, together with the MPD arrested suspects Mary Jane Aliga, 25, and Bob Cazzie Nellas, 36, the driver at the corner of Tayuman and G. Perfecto Street in Brgy. 55 Tondo

They seized the 150 gallons of isopropyl alcohol and a blue Mitsubishi Adventure the suspects used in selling the alcohol.

In Las Piñas City, police arrested suspect Harold Villanueva, 35, at the parking lot of a mall in Brgy. Almanza 1. Villanueva was a resident of BF Martinville Subd., Brgy. Manuyo 2 and was caught selling eight gallons of overpriced alcohol.

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Suspects Jay Bonn Agbulos, 36 at Brian Maglaya were arrested in an entrapment operation at Alabang-Zapote Road in Brgy. Almanza Uno. The two were selling overpriced 120 boxes of surgical masks.

The arrested suspects are now facing charges of violation of RA 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020) and RA 7394 or Consumer’s Act of the Philippines.

Medical frontliners cry for help as hospitals run out of supplies needed for treating patients with COVID-19, such as PPEs, face masks, and alcohol.

As of this writing, the country has 2,084 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 88 deaths, and 49 recoveries. Among those who died were doctors and other frontliners.

Also read: President Rodrigo Duterte unveils biggest financial aid in PH history