CIDG ARRESTS 2, CONFISCATES NEARLY P500K ILLEGAL COOKING OIL IN PAMPANGA

BY KEVIN GALANG

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — Police on Thursday arrested two suspects and seized nearly P500,000 worth of suspected illegal cooking oil during a raid in this city under “Oplan Megashopper” drive.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 3 chief Col. Grant Gollod said operatives from  the CIDG Pampanga Provincial Field Unit, along with other law enforcement units, implemented the search warrant inside S8 Mall at the New Public Market in Bgy. Del Pilar.

Arrested were alias “Bersa,” 32, the establishment’s manager; and alias “Berly,” 35,  the accounting head. 

Two other company officials identified as corporate president alias “Mila” and corporate secretary alias “Kath” remain at large.

According to Gollod, the raid stemmed from intelligence reports about the alleged illegal sale and distribution of unregistered cooking oil products in the province. 

The search warrant, issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 42,  cited a violation of Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.

Seized were 292 unlabeled white containers, each containing approximately 20 liters of cooking oil, with a total estimated market value of P496,400.

Probers said the confiscated products had no proper labeling or registration and that the company failed to present the necessary permits or license to operate from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

The cooking oil products were reportedly sold at lower prices in public markets across San Fernando City and nearby towns, often repacked into smaller containers such as bottles and plastic.

Authorities warned that since the products had not undergone FDA evaluation, their safety and quality could not be guaranteed, posing potential health risks to consumers.

The operation was conducted in coordination with the San Fernando City Police Station, local government units, and the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office and Health Office. 

The suspects were brought to the CIDG Pampanga PFU headquarters for documentation and proper disposition.