Himamaylan city: Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives have arrested five individuals for trading PHP4.7 million worth of alleged illicit cigarettes during an operation in Negros Occidental.
According to Philippines News Agency, CIDG acting Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz identified the arrested suspects as alias Judie, Arnel, Ali, Brian, and Marjun, who were nabbed in separate operations in Purok Ozmenia, Barangay 2 and Barangay Talaban, both in Himamaylan City on Thursday. They were arrested for selling cigarettes without the required Bureau of Internal Revenue tax stamps and graphic health warnings in violation of Republic Act (RA) 10643 (The Graphic Health Warnings Law).
He stated that the operation was part of efforts to run after those engaged in the manufacture and trade of counterfeit items and illicit trading of tobacco products across the country. Seized were 70 boxes of substandard Commando-brand cigarette, 100 boxes of "Busco," and 16 boxes of "Cannon" cigarettes, and an Isuzu closed van used for transport.
Macapaz emphasized that the state protects and promotes the right to health of the people, instills health consciousness among them, and protects consumers from trade malpractices and substandard tobacco products. He noted that the state recognizes that, based on empirical data, text warnings are insufficient in conveying the dangers of tobacco products, while graphic health warnings are shown to be more effective in conveying the truth about the dangers of exposure to and consumption of tobacco smoke.
He commended the CIDG Negros Island Region (NIR) for their swift and responsive police service that resulted in the confiscation of these substandard tobacco products and the arrest of law violators.
In a related development, Macapaz reported that the CIDG-Manila, in coordination with the Quezon City Police, arrested alias Jerry, 33, during an entrapment operation in Barangay Gulod, Novaliches, Quezon City on Wednesday for selling unregistered dairy products. CIDG operatives seized 200 boxes of Healyn Canxi Gold Nano Calcium, and Colostrum products, which were allegedly not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and traded without a license to operate.
The alleged seized unregistered dairy product was valued at PHP2 million, said Macapaz. Under RA 9711, otherwise known as the 'Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009,' the manufacture, importation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer of health and food products without the required authorization is prohibited. Because these food products have not gone through the evaluation process of the FDA, their quality and safety cannot be assured.
