By Jennifer P. Rendon and Glazyl Y. Masculino
When disinfectants ran scarce, six enterprising individuals saw an opportunity for business.
But before their business could flourish, authorities arrested them in an entrapment operation evening of March 24, 2020 at City Proper district, Iloilo City.
Police arrested Princess Angel Jamolo, 23, of Barangay Tanza Bonifacio, City Proper; Drecel May Castro, 34, of Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala Zone 1; Jennifer Fraico, 32, Arlene Veras, 31, and Ernalen Veras, 29, all residents of Barangay Tanza Boifacio, City Proper.
Another suspect, Condrado Sorongon Jr., 42, of Barangay Buhang, Jaro, Iloilo City was also arrested. Sorongon reportedly works as an accountant at the Western Visayas Sanitarium in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
Police claimed that Jamolo’s live-in partner, 22-year old Keifer John Vera, escaped.
Members of Mandurriao Police Station, together with operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Iloilo City, collared the suspects after receiving reports of someone selling overpriced alcohol.
Police Major Marlon Valencia, Mandurriao police chief, said their informant tipped them of a couple selling alcohol at P290 per liter, which is higher than the suggested retail price.
After two days of transaction, Jamili agreed to meet with the buyers.
Valencia said they brought with them 70 liters of alcohol which they priced at P20,300.
They were made to believe that the alcohol would be resold to consumers.
“For us to know her source, which turned out to be Sorongon, we ordered 120 liters,” he said.
Jamolo called Sorongon who later arrived on a car with additional liters of alcohol.
Aside from selling overpriced rubbing alcohol, Valencia said it appeared that the suspects also manufactured the antiseptic.
They also had no business permit to sell their products.
Following their arrest, Jamolo claimed that they only aimed at helping the people in this time of crisis.
Despite having no business permit, she said that it might not be necessary claiming that it’s an “emergency” situation.
She even claimed that it could be one of the reasons why City Proper district in Iloilo City has not recorded a positive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case.
The suspects are now detained and will be facing corresponding charges.
3 ARRESTED IN BACOLOD
In Bacolod City, three persons were also arrested for allegedly selling overpriced alcohol here Tuesday.
Renoir Baldovino, head of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Bacolod, identified the suspects as Nanette Cabiles, Kristel Mae Cortes, and Sinny Celeste, all residents of Barangay Tangub.
The NBI launched an entrapment operation at an aesthetics store in Galo Street, following a complaint from a resident here who earlier bought disinfectant from the store.
Baldovino said that one of the NBI agents bought two bottles of 250 mL ethyl alcohol during an undercover operation.
The three suspects allegedly sold 250 mL of ethyl alcohol at P90, higher than the P41 price ceiling set by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Also recovered by the NBI agents were 37 gallons of ethyl alcohol, and 104 bottles of alcohol (250 mL size).
He said that the recovered items will be tested to determine the content of the alcohol.
The three suspects are now in the custody of the NBI. He said the store owner will be charged for violation of the Republic Act 7581, or the Price Act.
Additional cases will be filed if the alcohol was illegally produced, he said.
Following the report, Baldovino reminded the sellers not to take advantage of the situation, as they will be held liable for it.
He said that the NBI continues to accept complaints on overpricing and hoarding of essential commodities amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
