GOVERNMENT authorities arrested three people for unauthorized and overpriced selling of alcohol amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Zamboanga Peninsula identified the arrested suspects as follows: Edwin de Guzman, 43; Francis Francisco, 22; and, Arnold Sotto, 40.
The CIDG-Zamboanga Peninsula said they were arrested in a buy bust around 11:30 a.m., Thursday, April 16, along Alejo Alvarez Street in Zone II Village, Zamboanga City.
Seized from the three were 464 plastic bottles of one liter each of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol worth P162,400, a pick-up vehicle and P100 buy bust money.
The suspects will be charged for violation of Republic Act 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines), RA 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal as One Act), RA 9711 (FDA Act), and, RA 7581 (Price Act) as amended by RA 10623.
The suspects were arrested by joint team of CIDG, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and soldiers.
Meanwhile, Engineer Annette Tan, FDA Division II-Mindanao West Cluster chief, has warned the public against buying alcohol solution online as these can be not in accordance with the standard.
Tan said that no one is allowed to manufacture alcohol without authorization from the FDA. (SunStar Zamboanga)