HOARDERS. Operatives of the Bulacan Criminal Investigation and Detection Group interrogate the arrested hoarders during an entrapment operation in Barangay Caingin, San Rafael, Bulacan on Sunday (March 22, 2020). Authorities arrested the three suspects for hoarding isopropyl alcohol and selling these beyond the regular price. (Photo courtesy of the Bulacan PNP)
CAMP GEN. ALEJO S. SANTOS, Bulacan — Authorities arrested on Sunday three suspects for hoarding isopropyl alcohol and selling them beyond the regular price in an entrapment operation in Barangay Caingin in San Rafael town, this province.
Col. Lawrence Cajipe, acting Bulacan provincial director, said the operation was conducted by the Bulacan Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) around 2:10 p.m.
Cajipe identified the arrested suspects as Marvin Verdillo, 27; Jose Rafael De Guzman, 36; and John Patrick Enriquez, 32, all residents of the said barangay.
He said that based on the report of Bulacan CIDG, an undercover police personnel was able to transact online and order 73 plastic bottles of one liter isopropyl alcohol with Verdillo and his group for a total price of PHP16,060 or PHP220 per liter.
However, based on the suggested retail price released by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), isopropyl alcohol only costs PHP125 to PHP130 per liter.
"The operation turned out to be positive that resulted in the arrest of the three suspects and the confiscation of the items," Cajipe said.
Cases for violation of Republic Act (RA) 7581 as amended by RA 10623 (Price Act), violation of RA 7394 (Consumer Act) and violation of Section 7, RA 11332 (hoarding, profiteering, selling and refilling) against the arrested suspects are now being prepared for filing in court against the arrested suspects. (PNA)
