A RESIDENT of Iloilo City who was arrested on May 7 for allegedly selling fake cigarettes in Isabela, Negros Occidental, was released the following day after the 18-hour reglementary period lapsed.
Chief Inspector Ruben Pajarito, Isabela police chief, said 30-year-old Joselito Onglato Jr. was released from police custody around 8 a.m. of Tuesday, May 8.
On May 7, Onglato was arrested after police caught him selling fake cigarettes in a grocery store owned by the younger brother of Mayor Joselito Malabor at the public market of Barangay 7.
Police recovered from Onglato several rims of assorted fake cigarettes amounting to P14,960.50, and an official receipt. He also yielded a fake identification card.
Pajarito said Onglato’s apprehension came after police received a report about the suspect’s alleged transaction in the said store.
Pajarito added that Onglato, together with nine others, was sent to Negros Occidental to sell the fake items to different cities and towns in the province.
He said they already talked to representatives of Mighty Corporation on Tuesday, May 8, for the filing of the criminal complaint about the violation of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
The recovered items will be subjected to laboratory examination.
Meanwhile, the suspect, according to Pajarito, said it was his first time to engage in the illegal transaction.
Pajarito said the suspect also claimed he has no knowledge about the sale of fake cigarettes because they were only told to ride a van when they reached the province.
He added they continue to monitor possible similar transactions in the town.