P9.6-M ILLEGAL STEEL PRODUCTS SEIZED IN PAMPANGA

BY KEVIN GALANG

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested two suspects, including a Chinese national, and seized some P9.6 million worth of alleged illegal steel products in a raid on a warehouse in San Simon, Pampanga.

CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 chief Col. Grant Gollod said its Pampanga Provincial Field Unit implemented a search warrant at the facility of Hypertech Steel Corporation located in Global Aseana Business Park 2, Bgy. San Pablo Libutad.

Arrested were Chinese national alias “Wei,” 47, a machine operator; and alias “Jonah,” 23, the company’s human resources manager.

Seized during the operation were 13,727 pieces of galvanized iron (GI) pipes of various sizes and thickness, with an estimated market value of P9,608,900.

According to Gollod, the search warrant was issued by the Regional Trial Court in Macabebe, Pampanga for alleged violation of Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

The representatives of the company failed to present necessary documents from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), including a Philippine Standard license, statement of conformity and import commodity clearance to prove the legality of their operations.

Prior verification with the DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards confirmed that Hypertech Steel Corporation is not registered in the Product Certification Information Management System.

The official said the raid stemmed from information provided by a confidential informant alleging that the company was engaged in the unauthorized manufacturing and trading of steel products, particularly GI pipes, which were reportedly distributed across Pampanga and nearby provinces.

He added that the company has also been the subject of community complaints due to alleged health hazards linked to its operations.

Authorities warned that the proliferation of substandard steel products poses serious risks to public safety, as these materials may not meet required quality standards and could lead to structural failures.