Law enforcers arrested two individuals for selling overpriced rice in two separate operations along Sta. Ana avenue and Monteverde corner Gempesaw Streets, Thursday.
On the same day, three others were arrested for selling overpriced thermal scanners.
Major Milgrace Driz, head of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Davao City Field Unit, said Jinky Reyes Yao was arrested in the operation conducted at Sta. Ana Ave by a composite team of the Sta. Ana Police Station, Special Operations Group of Davao City Police Office, the City Mayor’s Office, regional offices of the Departments of Agriculture and Trade and Industry.
Seized from Yap were 10 sacks of imported rice at 50 kilograms each sold at P2,120.00 per sack, even when the prevailing price was at P2075 and a sheet of delivery receipt. Also seized from her was a bundle of money.
Driz said seized from Mary Ann Lantapon, who arrested in another operation, were six sacks of imported rice at 50 kilograms a sack sold at P2, 250 even when the ceiling price was at P2,075; four sacks of another variety of imported rice sold at P2,200 even when the prevailing price was at P2,075.
Driz said the team conducted the operations in relation to the Republic Act 11469, the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act, a law created as part of the interventions to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019.
She said the operations were the result of the information that her agency received in relation to overpriced basic commodities.
“As a mandate to us to implement the law and in the performance of our duty, it is our way of helping the people and the government to oversee and carry on the price ceiling and the price freeze set for the business sectors to follow,” she added.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col Ronald L Lao, commander both of the Regional Special Operation Group (RSOG) XI and the Talomo Station, identified those who were arrested for selling thermal scanners were Ernesto Tomagos, 37, businessman, a native of San Manuel Tarlac, and a renter at Manlangit Compound Purok 26-A, Riverside Maa; Vicente Daigan Jr., male, 29, businessman, and resident of Aglayan Malaybalay Bukidnon; and Wendell H. Ognit, male, 31, and a resident. of Sitio San Isidro Concepcion, Montevista, Davao de Oro.
The three were arrested while allegedly selling eight thermal scanners at P9,500 each even when its prevailing price per unit was just P3,400.
Lao also warned unscrupulous traders and vendors not to take advantage of the COVID-19 situation.
“Let us not add misery to our fellow Filipinos. The full force of the law will go after you if you will exploit the current situation so please abide by the directives of the national government,” he added.
