MANILA, Philippines — Seven were arrested Tuesday evening in Cavite by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for allegedly selling P1.3 million worth of overpriced face masks.
A report from the PNP-CIDG identified the suspects as Hasan Meahar Asana, 43; Malaysian national Lai Geou Tee, 28; Ma. Anelia Delos Reyes, 60; Micah Salvador, 27; Vanessa Zolayvar, 35; Dennis Realon, 29; and Bienvenido Alvarez, 52.
Elements of the CIDG Cavite unit, the Cavite police station, the Carmona Municipal police station and the Department of Trade and Industry arrested the suspects in an entrapment operation at Barangay Maduya in Carmona at 9:30 p.m.
The arrest came after an informant informed police that Zolayvar is selling overpriced N88 surgical masks in Cavite using her Facebook account. Police said the suspect was offering five disposable surgical masks at P1,500 each. The price is higher than what the DTI has set, police added.
Aside from the overpriced face masks, police also seized the marked cash used in the bust and five cellphones from the suspects.
The suspects are now under the custody of the Cavite CIDG as charges for violation of the Price Act and the Consumer Price Act of the Philippines and Food and Drug Administration are being prepared against them.