P6.6-M ILLEGAL, EXPIRED FOOD PRODUCTS SEIZED IN BULACAN, TARLAC

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP CAPT. JULIAN OLIVAS, Pampanga – Authorities confiscated a total of P6.6 million worth of illegal and expired food products in separate operations in Bulacan and Tarlac.

Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez said two persons were arrested as part of intensified efforts to safeguard public health in Central Luzon.

Mendez said the coordinated operations were carried out with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other law enforcement units.

The first operation took place on Wednesday,  when joint operatives from the Regional Intelligence Division–Regional Special Operations Group 3 (RID-RSOG3), FDA Regional Field Office 3, and local police units conducted an inspection at a warehouse in Bgy. Patubig, Marilao, Bulacan.

Authorities arrested a 22-year-old Chinese national who served as the warehouse manager for alleged violations of the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394) in relation to the Food Safety Act (RA 10611), along with local ordinances and other applicable laws.

Confiscated were various imported food items, including cured meat, cooking oil, sauces, bamboo shoots, noodles, and syrup products, reportedly lacking proper documentation on delivery, procurement, and regulatory compliance,  estimated to be worth P5 million.

In a separate operation on Tuesday, authorities arrested a 64-year-old barangay councilor in Bgy. Anupul, Bamban, Tarlac for allegedly selling expired food products.

Recovered from the suspect were nearly 19,800 pieces of expired assorted noodles, along with various snack items and consumer goods, worth at least P1.6 million.

Charges for violation of the Consumer Act (RA 7394) and the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 (RA 9711) were filed against the arrested suspect.

“Hindi natin papayagan na malagay sa panganib ang kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan dahil sa pagbebenta ng mga ilegal at expired na produkto,” Mendez said.

“These operations reflect our firm commitment to enforce consumer protection laws and hold violators accountable,” he added.

Mendez said the operations align with the focused agenda of Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. to strengthen law enforcement efforts against economic and public safety threats.

The official said they will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations in coordination with regulatory agencies to ensure that only safe and compliant products reach the public.