Joselito Malig

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CRIME THUMBNAIL-CRIME

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

PAMPANGA — Authorities seized a total of ₱6.6 million worth of illegal and expired food products in two separate but coordinated operations in Bulacan and Tarlac, leading to the arrest of two individuals.Central Luzon regional police director P/BGen. Jess Mendez said the operations were carried out by joint elements of the Regional Intelligence Division–Regional Special Operations Group 3 (RID-RSOG3), in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regional Field Office 3 and other law enforcement units, as part of intensified efforts to safeguard public health and consumer welfare in Central Luzon.In Marilao, Bulacan, a 22-year-old Chinese national working as a warehouse manager was arrested during an inspection conducted at around 3:40 p.m. on March 25, 2026, inside a warehouse in Barangay Patubig.Authorities discovered large volumes of imported food items, including cured meat, cooking oil, sauces, bamboo shoots, noodles, and syrup products. Investigators said the items lacked proper documentation on delivery, procurement, and regulatory compliance, in violation of Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, in relation to Republic Act 10611 or the Food Safety Act.The seized items from the Bulacan operation were estimated to be worth ₱5 million.In a separate operation a day earlier, a 64-year-old barangay councilor was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted at around 5:00 p.m. on March 24, 2026, in Barangay Anupul, Bamban, Tarlac.The suspect was caught allegedly selling expired food products in violation of RA 7394 and Republic Act 9711, or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.Recovered from the suspect were nearly 19,800 pieces of expired assorted noodles, along with various snack items and consumer goods, with a total estimated value of ₱1.6 million.Both suspects and the confiscated items are now under police custody for proper documentation and legal proceedings, while charges are being prepared against them.“Hindi natin papayagan na malagay sa panganib ang kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan dahil sa pagbebenta ng mga iligal at expired na produkto. These operations reflect our firm commitment to enforce consumer protection laws and hold violators accountable,” Mendez said in a statement.He added that the operations are in line with the Philippine National Police’s intensified campaign against economic and public safety threats under its current leadership.“We will continue to intensify our efforts through coordinated and intelligence-driven operations, in close partnership with regulatory agencies, to ensure that only safe and compliant products reach the public,” he added.

Authorities seized a total of ₱6.6 million worth of illegal and expired food products in two separate but coordinated operations in Bulacan and Tarlac, leading to the arrest of two individuals.

Authorities seized a total of ₱6.6 million worth of illegal and expired food products in two separate but coordinated operations in Bulacan and Tarlac, leading to the arrest of two individuals.

₱6.6M illegal, expired food products seized in Central Luzon; 2 arrested

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₱6.6M illegal, expired food products seized in Central Luzon; 2 arrested

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 26, 2026 08:58 PM PHT

Read More:

Tarlac

Bulacan

Central Luzon

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

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