Police caught a businesswoman for allegedly selling non-food relief kits valued at P15.5 million and bearing the logo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said.
The suspect was entrapped while selling 6,000 kits containing clothing for P2,588 each at a warehouse on Juan Luna Street in Barangay 56, Tondo, Manila, on Thursday night, according to CIDG public information chief Maj. Helen dela Cruz in an interview in Camp Crame on Friday.
‘You will see the DSWD logo there. The Bagong Pilipinas logo is there and, worse, you’ll see ‘not for sale’ there,’ CIDG National Capital Region chief Lt. Col. John Guiagui said in the interview.
Guiagui explained that the operation stemmed from a tip from a private informant, prompting them to coordinate with the DSWD.
‘They say they’re a supplier of the DSWD. They say it’s an excess supply. Nonetheless, they shouldn’t sell it. If they will sell it and it’s no longer the government’s property, it shouldn’t be packed with markings of the DSWD and ‘not for sale,” he added.
Guiagui further said the businesswoman told operatives that she had previously sold relief packs to a buyer, but they have yet to identify how much was sold and to whom.
‘They (suspect) say they can reproduce more,’ the CIDG NCR chief added.
Approached by reporters in Camp Crame, the arrested suspect declined to comment.
According to dela Cruz, the suspect faces charges for violating Section 19 (e) of Republic Act No. 10121 or the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, which prohibits ‘selling of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities which are intended for distribution to disaster victims.’
The suspect also faces charges for violating Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to the illegal use of insignia, the CIDG public information chief further noted.
‘The items discovered during the entrapment operation. are in no way owned, operated or affiliated with the DSWD. No DSWD personnel were involved,’ dela Cruz claimed, citing a statement from the department.
‘The department expresses its full support for the ongoing investigation and is prepared to take all necessary legal actions against those found responsible,’ she added. /apl