Push Admin

Illegal sellers of unauthorized COVID-19 test kits face raps in Cebu

Article (news)

Annie Perez, ABS-CBN News

CEBU - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Central Visayas has filed charges of violating the Food and Drug Administration Act and the Cybercrime Law against four individuals in Cebu City and Mandaue City, following a series of entrapment operations over the illegal sale of COVID-19 test kits. Those charged were identified as Christineline Depaudhon, Maria Juliet Dumadag, Mykel Ceriola, and Jessel Faith Catarinen. According to NBI-7 officer Arnel Pura, the suspects had no authority to sell the COVID-19 test kits. “They were openly selling to the public through the medium of the internet and neither the rapid test kits sold are registered and authorized,” said Pura. Pura added they tracked down the suspects on social media, where they were posting about 2 brands of COVID-19 test kits that did not have the approval of the Food and Drug Administration. Around 200 boxes were seized, and the value of the products amounted to over P1 million. The NBI-7 told the public to only purchase test kits that are approved by the government. The FDA has so far approved the COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test from Abbott Laboratories Philippines and the SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test from Chinese company Labnovation Technologies Inc.The increase in demand for test kits in Cebu is followed by the rise in cases in the province. According to DOH data, as of January 27 there were 1,142 new cases in entire Cebu island, including major cities. Active cases on the island meanwhile were at 14,766.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/25/22/covid-19-cases-sa-cebu-city-bahagyang-bumababa">COVID-19 cases sa Cebu City bahagyang bumababa</a></li></ul><div> </div>

The four suspects caught by the NBI posted on the internet about two brands of COVID-19 test kits not yet approved by the government.

Illegal sellers of unauthorized COVID-19 test kits face raps in Cebu

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

Illegal sellers of unauthorized COVID-19 test kits face raps in Cebu

Annie Perez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 28, 2022 07:31 PM PHT

Read More:

COVID-19

Coronavirus

COVID-19 test

Food and Drug Administration

National Bureau of Investigation

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.