17 nabbed for selling overpriced alcohol in CLuzon

THE Philippine National Police arrested 17 persons from various parts of Central Luzon for allegedly hoarding and reselling alcohol at exorbitant prices.

During separate buy- bust operations conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit 3 from March 20 to 25, huge quantities of alcohol amounting to about P546,610 were seized.

Four suspects were arrested separately in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, three in Tarlac, two in Pampanga, and one each in Bataan, Zambales, and the cities of Angeles and Olongapo.

“The Department of Trade and Industry ( DTI) has released the suggested retail price (SRP) of the alcohol. Arrested suspects were selling them three times higher than its SRP,” said Col. Amante Daro,

CIDG regional chief.

The suspects will be charged for violating R.A. 10623 or the “Price Act,” R.A. 7394 or the “Consumer Act.”

The price of ethyl alcohol (70 percent solution) in 60 milliliters (mL) is between P17.25 and P25.50, 250 mL costs between P36.75 and P41.75, while the 500mL i s between P61.00 and P74.25, pursuant to the Department of Health Memorandum 2020-0058-8.

Retailers are also enjoined to limit the selling of alcohol to only two pieces, regardless of volume, per transaction.

The DTI has issued a price freeze on all basic necessities following Proclamation 922, declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.