Two people, including a South Korean national, were arrested in Cavite by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for selling unregistered imported food products worth PHP1.6 million.
In a statement, CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said that on Wednesday, CIDG-Cavite agents and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) personnel seized 545 boxes of luncheon meat, 165 boxes of Jardin Triple Brew coffee, 50 boxes of Jardin Blue Lemonade, and 77 boxes of Delicious BorYung Laver, all with labels written in a foreign language, from an establishment in Barangay Sabutan, Silang town.
During the operation, the establishment's owner, Yong Cheol Baek, 47, and operating manager, Jennelyn Arnado, 25, were arrested.
According to Caramat, the facility is selling unregistered imported food goods that are listed in the FDA's Public Health Warning Advisory 2023-0018, which was received by the CIDG.
Following confirmation, the police organized an entrapment operation and obtained a search warrant on June 15 from the Regional Trial Court of Lucena City, Quezon.
Caramat stated that the CIDG would continue to be vigilant in notifying consumers of unregistered products that may pose a health risk, as well as in protecting the country's economic framework from economic saboteurs.
A criminal complaint for violating Republic Act (RA) 9711, also known as the FDA Act of 2009, is being prepared for filing against the arrested individuals.
