COVID-19 Crisis: Police arrest suspects over illegal sale of COVID-19 test kits in Parañaque City

Another crime news piece related to Parañaque for you all. This time it was reported by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) and it is about the illegal act of selling rapid test kits related to COVID-19. The illegal sale happened in Parañaque City, specifically in Barangay Don Bosco.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine News Agency’s news report. Some parts in bold…

Three individuals were arrested for the illegal sale of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) rapid test kits in Parañaque City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday.

PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, citing a report from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, identified the suspects as Ace Dimaplis, Charisse Purino, and Aldrin Bacaran who were arrested in an entrapment operation in Barangay Don Bosco on Tuesday.

The operation stemmed from reports of the sale of illegally marketed medical devices such as Wondfo antigen rapid test kits which are placed in advertisements in illegal online selling websites.

A poseur-buyer ordered online 250 boxes of Wondfo rapid test kit, with each box containing 20 sets, amounting to PHP1.2 million pesos.

Recovered during the operation were assorted volumes of unauthorized rapid test kits worth PHP4 million, one magazine for .40 caliber pistol, various kinds of ammunition, two sets of caliper, a digital reloading scale, and smokeless gunpowder.

Meanwhile, the suspects failed to show to the operatives their license to operate (LTO) or special permit to sell and distribute the test kits with regards to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Circular No. 2020-016 and authority to possess gun reloader and live ammunition.

“Further investigation reveals that the arrested suspects were sub-leaders of Chinese online groups who were involved in illegal online selling of unauthorized Covid-19 rapid test kit(s),” Eleazar said.

The report ended stating that the suspects were brought to the police force in Quezon City for appropriate documentation and the formal filing of cases related to violating Republic Act Number 9711 (Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 in relation to FDA Circular No. 2020-016) and Republic Act Number 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the Philippine News Agency’s crime news report? Did you notice something strange going on in your local community there in Parañaque City? Are the local police and barangay tanods doing enough to secure your local community from criminals? Did you spot online any ads related to Wondfo antigen rapid test kits?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Suspects apprehended for illegal firearms sale in Las Piñas City

Are you a resident of Las Piñas City who managed to spot something suspicious?

Yesterday it was reported via Philippine News Agency (PNA) that four people – including two foreigners from South Korea – were arrested as a result of a weapons buy-bust operation in the City of Las Piñas. The arrest happened on April 23, 2021.

To put things here in perspective, below is an excerpt from the PNA report…

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Director Maj. Gen. Albert Ferro said members of the CIDG field unit in Metro Manila nabbed suspects Tomas Adonis, Patrick Rowan, and South Korean nationals Han Bao and Hu Zhi at the Emapalico Subdivision, Las Piñas City on April 23.

Ferro said the operation stemmed from a Chinese informant who said the suspects are selling him illegal firearms through an online transaction.

One of the CIDG agents posed as a driver/assistant of the Chinese poseur buyer during the actual transaction, which led to the arrest of the suspects.

Recovered during the operation were firearms including a 9mm Colt rifle, a caliber 5.56 Colt AR-15 rifle, a .38 caliber revolver, a .45 caliber pistol, various ammunition, marked money, a laptop computer, assorted credit cards, blank cards, and a skimming device.

Furthermore, it was reported that the four suspects will be charged for violating Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and RA 11449 (Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998).

When it comes to illegal possession of firearms, posted below is an excerpt of Section 28 of RA 10591 under the Penal Provisions…

Section 28. Unlawful Acquisition, or Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. – The unlawful acquisition, possession of firearms and ammunition shall be penalized as follows:

(a) The penalty of prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a small arm;

(b) The penalty of reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua shall be imposed if three (3) or more small arms or Class-A light weapons are unlawfully acquired or possessed by any person;

(c) The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a Class-A light weapon;

(d) The penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon any person who shall, unlawfully acquire or possess a Class-B light weapon;

(e) The penalty of one (1) degree higher than that provided in paragraphs (a) to (c) in this section shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully possess any firearm under any or combination of the following conditions:

(1) Loaded with ammunition or inserted with a loaded magazine;

(2) Fitted or mounted with laser or any gadget used to guide the shooter to hit the target such as thermal weapon sight (TWS) and the like;

(3) Fitted or mounted with sniper scopes, firearm muffler or firearm silencer;

(4) Accompanied with an extra barrel; and

(5) Converted to be capable of firing full automatic bursts.

(f) The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a major part of a small arm;

(g) The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for a small arm or Class-A light weapon. If the violation of this paragraph is committed by the same person charged with the unlawful acquisition or possession of a small arm, the former violation shall be absorbed by the latter;

(h) The penalty of prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a major part of a Class-A light weapon;

(i) The penalty of prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for a Class-A light weapon. If the violation of this paragraph is committed by the same person charged with the unlawful acquisition or possession of a Class-A light weapon, the former violation shall be absorbed by the latter;

(j) The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a major part of a Class-B light weapon; and

(k) The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for a Class-B light weapon. If the violation of this paragraph is committed by the same person charged with the unlawful acquisition or possession of a Class-B light weapon, the former violation shall be absorbed by the latter.

If you wish to react about this story or the crime situation there in your city, please feel free to comment below or contact me directly online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673