WOMAN NABBED FOR SELLING P15.5M RELIEF GOODS

OPERATIVES of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), on Thursday arrested a woman for allegedly selling P15.5 million worth of relief goods in an entrapment operation in Tondo, Manila.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) public information chief Maj. Helen dela Cruz said nabbed was alias “Janice.”

The suspect was arrested in a sting at a warehouse in Bgy. 56, Tondo, Manila.

Dela Cruz said the suspect was arrested for selling 6,000 “DSWD Family Kits” marked “not for sale” and bearing the DSWD logo and Bagong Pilipinas seal.

The entrapment stemmed from an information that the suspect was selling the items intended for calamity victims.

Authorities immediately coordinated with the DSWD and launched the sting.

Investigation showed the suspect was selling per box of the relief goods in the amount of P2,588.

The suspect claimed the goods were “excess stocks” from past contracts.

“The suspect said they are a supplier of the DSWD and that they are only selling excess supply. Nonetheless, they shouldn’t sell it. If they will sell it, it shouldn’t be packed with markings of the DSWD and not for sale,” CIDG-National Capital Region chief Lt. Col. John Guiagui said.

The DSWD denied any involvement in the case.

“The DSWD is in no way owned, operated or affiliated with the warehouse.No DSWD personnel is also involved in the said illegal act,” the DSWD said in a statement.

The Department has expressed its full support in the ongoing investigation and prepared to take necessary legal actions against those found responsible.

Charges for violation of Section 19(e) (Selling of Relief Goods) of Republic Act 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010), and Article 179 (Illegal Use of Insignia) of the Revised Penal Code are being readied for filing in court against the arrested suspect.