THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) arrested a total of 26 individuals for hoarding, overpricing, and profiteering of essential medical items while 10 cases were filed before the court since quarantine has been implemented.
Based on the data provided to SunStar Davao by DCPO director Police Colonel Kirby John Kraft Thursday, April 30, the violators were apprehended in 11 separate operations conducted by different police stations under their office.
As of Thursday, authorities seized 3,191 liters of alcohol, 50 pieces of facial masks, eight boxes of surgical gloves, 80 pieces of the infrared thermal scanner, 1,405 bottles of disinfectant/liquid soap, 28 sacks of kalamansi and 20 sacks of rice.
Kraft warned the public not to take advantage of the health crisis by marking up their products. He assured that the police will run after traders who will not adhere to the ceiling price set by the government.
Earlier, a total of 100 gallons/containers of ethyl alcohol with 18 liters each gallon/container amounting to P370,000 were confiscated by authorities for overpricing during an entrapment operation on Wednesday afternoon near a mall in Barangay 20-B, Bajada, Davao City.
In a report provided by DCPO Thursday, their Special Operation Group (SOG) initially received information of overpriced alcohol on April 29, upon learning the information, the operation was launched to apprehend violators.
Personnel from SOG, together with other law enforcement agencies, conducted a joint buy bust near the mall.
An operative posed as a buyer and purchased 100gallons/containers of Ethyl Alcohol with 18 liters each gallon/container for P370,000.
The items were pegged at P3,700 per gallon/container, which was higher than the Department of Health (DOH) authorized price ceiling of P3,312, under DOH Memorandum Circular 2020- 0186 and 144-A.
Aside from the 100 gallons of alcohol, authorities likewise recovered 32 more gallons/containers, L300 van, one-piece genuine P500, and the boodle money.
Meanwhile, apprehended suspects and the confiscated items immediately brought to DCPO, Special Operation Group for documentation and proper disposition.
DCPO spokesperson Police Captain Rose Aguilar said that they did not provide the identity of the suspect because another follow-up operation is being planned out.