Alcohol profiteers in Zamboanga City arrested

ZAMBOANGA CITY –– Three suspected hoarders landed in jail after they were apprehended in possession of 464 bottles of 70-percent isopropyl alcohol and selling these at exorbitant prices.

Engineer Annette Tan, division head of the Mindanao West Cluster of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said they have been monitoring the three individuals who are taking advantage of the scarcity of alcohol here, sourcing their overpriced item in one of the online sellers in Sampaloc, Manila.

Each bottle containing a liter of alcohol is sold at P350, which is exorbitant. Tan said its standard retail price is P137.50.

Besides, Tan added, they are selling brand-less alcohol. The FDA has ordered the testing of the alcohol being sold to determine if it is indeed 70-percent isopropyl.

“We conducted this law enforcement operation in coordination with the Criminal Intelligence and Detection Group (CIDG) and apprehended three persons,” Tan said.

The operation on Thursday resulted in the arrest of three local businessmen identified as Edwin De Dios De Guzman, 43; Francis Legazpi Francisco, 22; and Arnold Francisco Sotto, 40, all residents of Barangay Divisoria, this city.

Law enforcers fielded a poseur-buyer who dealt with the traders.

The three arrested businessmen were brought to the CIDG and charges of violating the Consumers Act of the Philippines, Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, FDA Act, and Price Act were filed against them.

LZB