PNP arrests three suspects for hoarding, selling overpriced alcohol
Published Mar 20, 2020 12:00 am
By Martin Sadongdong
Three alleged hoarders of ethyl alcohol who were selling the essential items up to double the price were nabbed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in separate operations in the cities of Caloocan and Manila, it announced on Friday.
PNP spokesman P/Col. Bernard Banac
(PNP / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Arrested were Jeffrey Zapanta, a stockman, and his cohort, Albert Mandap; and Evangeline Endozo, a saleslady in a medical supply and equipment store. Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), first collared Zapanta and Mandap in an entrapment operation in Sangandaan, Caloocan on Thursday. Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said the CIDG received online complaints pertaining to the modus of the suspects where they sell 500 mL of ethyl alcohol at P140 which is higher than the price ceiling set by the DTI at P61 to P74.25. Banac said the agents contacted the sellers and arranged for a meet-up to buy a bulk of alcohol. When the payment was received by the suspects, back-up agents arrested them for profiteering, overpricing and hoarding alcohol. The team seized from the suspects 83 pieces of 500mL ethyl acohol and 48 pieces of one liter of the said essential being sold at P250. Meanwhile, joint CIDG and DTI operatives raided a medical supply and equipment store in Sta. Cruz, Manila upon receiving complaints from consumers that it was selling overpriced items. Authorities discovered that the store, which was being facilitated by Endozo, was selling 60 mL ethyl alcohol for P80, which is still higher than the price ceiling set by the DTI. About 1,380 bottles of alcohol in 500 mL, 60 mL, and 40 mL sizes were confiscated by the authorities. All seized items from the three suspects with an estimated market value of P254,620 were placed under the custody of the CIDG for documentation and proper disposition. Meanwhile, the three suspects were brought to the CIDG office in Camp Crame where they will face numerous charges for violating Republic Act 10623 or the Amended Price Act; RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines; Article 14 of the Revised Penal Code (aggravating circumstances); DTI's memorandum circular on Anti-Hoarding and Anti-Panic Buying; and Proclamation 922 declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the Philippines as issued by President Duterte.
PNP spokesman P/Col. Bernard Banac(PNP / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Arrested were Jeffrey Zapanta, a stockman, and his cohort, Albert Mandap; and Evangeline Endozo, a saleslady in a medical supply and equipment store. Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), first collared Zapanta and Mandap in an entrapment operation in Sangandaan, Caloocan on Thursday. Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said the CIDG received online complaints pertaining to the modus of the suspects where they sell 500 mL of ethyl alcohol at P140 which is higher than the price ceiling set by the DTI at P61 to P74.25. Banac said the agents contacted the sellers and arranged for a meet-up to buy a bulk of alcohol. When the payment was received by the suspects, back-up agents arrested them for profiteering, overpricing and hoarding alcohol. The team seized from the suspects 83 pieces of 500mL ethyl acohol and 48 pieces of one liter of the said essential being sold at P250. Meanwhile, joint CIDG and DTI operatives raided a medical supply and equipment store in Sta. Cruz, Manila upon receiving complaints from consumers that it was selling overpriced items. Authorities discovered that the store, which was being facilitated by Endozo, was selling 60 mL ethyl alcohol for P80, which is still higher than the price ceiling set by the DTI. About 1,380 bottles of alcohol in 500 mL, 60 mL, and 40 mL sizes were confiscated by the authorities. All seized items from the three suspects with an estimated market value of P254,620 were placed under the custody of the CIDG for documentation and proper disposition. Meanwhile, the three suspects were brought to the CIDG office in Camp Crame where they will face numerous charges for violating Republic Act 10623 or the Amended Price Act; RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines; Article 14 of the Revised Penal Code (aggravating circumstances); DTI's memorandum circular on Anti-Hoarding and Anti-Panic Buying; and Proclamation 922 declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the Philippines as issued by President Duterte.