By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Smuggled white onions and cigarettes worth almost PHP2 million were seized in two separate operations in Quiapo, the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) said Wednesday.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP-HPG spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malang said two drivers were arrested after their trucks loaded with white onions were flagged along Carlos Palanca Street for seatbelt violation and improper plate attachment on Tuesday.
Malang said around 1,200 sacks in total, valued at PHP1.35 million and bearing “China” markings, came from a storage facility in Quiapo and were bound for Navotas and Bocaue, Bulacan.
Upon further inspection and questioning, authorities discovered that one of the drivers had no license and was carrying spurious documents for the cargo.
“’Yung kanyang mga dokumento na pinakita sa atin ay hindi tugma dun po sa atin pong system – ‘yong kanya pong mga OR/CR. At nung in-inspect po ng inyong PNP-HPG… mayroon siyang dala-dala din na mga undocumented na mga imported onions (The documents he presented did not match our system, particularly the Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration. When the PNP-HPG did an inspection, he was also carrying undocumented imported onions),” said Malang.
He said the drivers are now under the custody of the PNP-HPG and may face charges for violating several laws, including the Consumer Act.
Fake cigarettes
Meanwhile, Malang said police caught an ambulant vendor loading counterfeit cigarettes into a van in front of a bakery at Quinta Market, also along Palanca Street, on Tuesday.
Following a tip, authorities conducted an inspection and arrested the suspect after he failed to present documents and admitted the goods were fake.
“Kung ito ay hindi dumaan sa tamang tax, kailangan mapanagot po sila. At maging patas po sa talagang nagtatrabaho at ‘yong regulated companies po natin na talagang lumalaban po ng patas sa ating batas (If these did not go through proper taxation, they must be held accountable. Let us be fair to legitimate workers and regulated companies that compete lawfully),” Malang said.
Authorities seized eight boxes of cigarettes, estimated to be worth PHP600,000 and were set for distribution in Metro Manila.
Investigation is ongoing to trace the source of the counterfeit cigarettes and to identify those behind the operation. (PNA)
