Chinese, 4 others arrested for selling overpriced medical supplies

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese national and four others were arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in two separate operations in Quezon City and Caloocan City for allegedly selling overpriced medical supplies.

A report from the NBI released on Tuesday said that Chen Tian Man was arrested by operatives from its Environmental Crime Division on April 2 for selling overpriced thermal scanners.

NBI said the suspect was selling the items at P4,400 per unit when the price range allowed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the product was only at P599 to P3,400 per unit.

A total of 1,000 pieces of thermal scanners worth around P4.4 million were confiscated in the operation conducted in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, the four other suspects were collared in an earlier entrapment operation hatched by agents of the NBI Criminal Investigation Division on April 1.

The arrested individuals were identified as John Derick Dela Rosa, Jomel Tapispisan, Sarah Grace Tapispisan, and Nathaniel Palingkod.

The bureau said the operation was launched after it received a report that a businessman based in Valenzuela City was selling ethyl alcohol at P37,500 per drum. The suggested price was only at P25,000 per drum according to the DTI.

Two drums of ethyl alcohol were seized by authorities in the operation.

Cases for violation of the Consumer Act of the Philippines and the Price Act of the Philippines were filed against the five suspects.

The NBI has been launching a series of operations against those taking advantage of the increased demand for medical items amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.