THREE men were arrested outside a department store in Brgy. Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City on Thursday, April 2, 2020, after police caught them red-handed, selling overpriced alcohol to the public.

Operatives of the Intelligence Unit of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office recovered 52 jugs filled with two liters of alcohol and another jug filled with four liters of alcohol when they arrested Jose Condevillamar, 57, a resident of Lawaan 1 in Talisay City; Rex Marco Roble, 38, from Bulacao, Cebu City; and Rupert Eballe, 31, from Barrio Luz, Cebu City.

Police Lt. Col. Mark Sucalit, City Intelligence Unit head, claimed the three men were reportedly selling alcohol beyond the suggested retail price.

The alcohol recovered had an estimated market value worth P26,000.

Sucalit said during their operation, they were assisted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The three men will face charges for violating Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act and RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, who was with police during the operation, disclosed that the three men reportedly sold the alcohol for P500 per two liters. The rubbing alcohol they sold only had a 40 percent solution.

Chan suspected that the three men were able to successfully smuggle the alcohol to the city via a pick-up truck in order to deceive the quarantine control officers manning the two Mactan-Mandaue bridges that they were carrying “essential goods” which are exempted from the enhanced community quarantine.

The FDA will also investigate if the alcohol that the three men are selling are authentic. If it is determined that the three men were selling fake alcohol, another criminal case will be filed against them. (FVQ / JKV)