Two women were arrested in Binondo, Manila, for allegedly selling and possessing solvent, a toxic inhalant often abused by street children, teenagers, and young adults.

The arrest falls under Presidential Decree 1619, “Penalizing the Use or Possession or the Unauthorized Sale to Minors of Volatile Substances for the Purpose of Inducing Intoxication or in Any Manner Changing, Distorting or Disturbing the Auditory, Visual or Mental Process,” police said.

The suspects were identified as Cristine, 40, a resident of Tondo, and Rubielita, 45, a resident of Binondo. Both are currently under police custody.

According to a report from the Manila Police District, the arrest took place at around 11:50 p.m. on June 9 on Elcano Street near the corner of M. De Santos Street.

Personnel from the Juan Luna Police Community Precinct were conducting a foot patrol when they allegedly caught Cristine in the act of selling a liquid substance believed to be solvent to Rubielita. The officers immediately approached the suspects and placed them under arrest.

Authorities recovered from Cristine a water bottle containing about 900 milliliters of a colorless liquid suspected to be a volatile substance, along with ₱120 in cash. Meanwhile, another water bottle containing around 500 milliliters of the same substance was recovered from Rubielita.

The suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and the nature of their violation before being brought to a hospital for medical examination and later transferred to Police Station 11 for investigation. The case will be referred for inquest proceedings.