P1.16-M FAKE FERTILIZERS CONFISCATED IN NUEVA ECIJA

BY KEVIN GALANG

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — Authorities seized some  P1.16 million worth of fake fertilizers, manufacturing equipment, and vehicles, and arrested four suspects in an operation in Nueva Ecija.

In a report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez, the operation was conducted by the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), through the help of the Talavera Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) and other law enforcement agencies.

Authorities said the initial operation in Bgy. San Ricardo, Talavera resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the confiscation of 260 bags of counterfeit fertilizers with an estimated value of P258,000.

Follow-up operations led operatives to an unregistered fertilizer manufacturing warehouse in Bgy. Sta. Monica, Rizal, Nueva Ecija. 

Nabbed was another suspect and seized were around  500 bags of counterfeit fertilizers, 21 granulator machines, and delivery trucks with a combined estimated value of P900,000.

In total, authorities confiscated around P1.16 million worth of counterfeit fertilizers, manufacturing equipment, and vehicles believed to have been used in the illegal operation.

Charges for violations of Presidential Decree No. 1144, which regulates the fertilizer and pesticide industry, Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, and other applicable laws are being readied for filing in court against the suspects.

Nueva Ecija provincial director Col. Ritchie R. Claravall said the successful operations highlight the police’s commitment to protecting farmers from counterfeit agricultural products.

“These successful operations demonstrate our commitment to protecting our farmers from counterfeit agricultural products and holding accountable those who profit from illegal activities,” Claravall said.

“NEPPO will continue working closely with partner agencies to eradicate economic sabotage and safeguard the welfare of the farming community,”  he added.