By Jeffrey Damicog Two persons have been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which seized test kits for 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) worth P2.4 million, illegally being sold amid government restrictions. In light of this, NBI Officer-In-Charge Director Eric Distor reminded the public in a statement that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Advisory Nos. 2020-497 and 498, which say that “all license importer/distributors that COVID-19 test kits are strictly for medical professional use and not intended for personal use and that said product should be acquired by the general public through a prescription from a licensed physician, hospitals or drugstores and pharmacies.” “The FDA Circular No. 2020-016 also stated that online selling of FDA certified COVID-19 antibody test kits is strictly prohibited,” the NBI also cited. Distor identified the arrested violators as Shanon April Mejia Alegre and Esseline Raisa Sy Ong. The two were arrested on May 14 at BF Homes Subdivision in Parañaque City during an entrapment operation conducted by the NBI’s Anti-Organized and Transnational Crimes Division (NBI-AOTCD). “Subjects Ong and Alegre failed to show any license to operate when asked by the FDA representatives,” the NBI said. NBI agents also seized during the operation 200 boxes of COVID-19 test kits, which were being sold at P12,000 each or a total of P2.4 million. Distor said the operation was conducted after learning that the suspects were engaged in the online selling of the COVID-19 test kits to the public.