By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Authorities arrested on Thursday a woman allegedly selling P15.5 million worth of relief goods from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Manila.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Public Information Chief, PMaj. Helen dela Cruz said alias “Janice” was arrested selling 6,000 “DSWD Family Kits” marked “not for sale” and bearing the “Bagong Pilipinas” logo for P2,588 per unit at a warehouse in Barangay 56, Tondo, Manila.
The entrapment operation stemmed from a tip from a private informant, prompting authorities to coordinate with the DSWD.
“The items discovered during the entrapment operation… are in no way owned, operated, or affiliated with the DSWD. No DSWD personnel were involved. The department expresses its full support for the ongoing investigation and is prepared to take all necessary legal actions against those found responsible,” Dela Cruz said, reading a statement from the DSWD.
The suspect will be facing charges for violation of Section 19(e) (Selling of Relief Goods) of Republic Act 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010), and Article 179 (Illegal Use of Insignia) of the Revised Penal Code.
“[The suspect] said they are a supplier of the DSWD and that they are only selling excess supply. Nonetheless, they shouldn’t sell it. If they will sell it, it shouldn’t be packed with markings of the DSWD and not for sale,” CIDG-National Capital Region chief Lt. Col. John Guiagui said at the same press briefing.
