PNP-CIDG agents seized over P1.4-M unauthorized COVID test kits
AGENTS of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group have seized over P1.4 million worth of COVID-19 RT-PCR test kits being sold by unauthorized dealers in Manila and Davao cities, PNP-CIDG director, Major General Albert Ignatius D. Ferro said.
The official said that two of the suspects, both female online sellers, were arrested in a sting in Sta. Cruz, Manila conducted by undercover officers from the PNP-CIDG with the help of the Manila Police District, the Armed Forces and the Food and Drug Administration.
Recovered from the two were an estimated P1.4 million worth of antigen rapid test kids and other medical devices being offered for sale by the two online.
Ferro said that one of the suspects identified as Rowena Rivera,44, was apprehended along Jose Abad Santos Avenue in Manila. Seized inside a Toyota Hi-Ace belonging to the accused were four Clungene antigen mother boxes containing 50 small boxes or 5,000 individually wrapped cassette kits worth P625,000, one delivery receipt issued to one “Clark Mendoza” with control number 009725, the buy-bust money and several identification cards and mobile phones.
On the other hand, the 2nd suspect identified as Gracel Jane Arnaiz,24, was arrested inside her house in Barangay Matina Pangi in Purok 4-A, Davao City. The suspect was found in possession of seven boxes of OTC Linghua Qingwen Jiaonang and one box of Clungene COVID-19 antigen rapid test valued at P800,000, one box of COVID-19 rapid test device, one cash sales invoice (No. 067), one pad of delivery receipt, and one pad of cash sales invoice receipt.
Ferro said that the two have been charged for violation of Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 which strictly prohibits the online selling of FDA certified COVID-19 antibody test kits.
All COVID-19 antibody test kits (rapid test, point-of-care, lateral flow, Elisa, GICA, CLIA among others) with FDA special certification are strictly for medical professional use and not intended for personal use, said the official.
“Some business group are taking advantage of the urgency and shortage of COVID-19 medical devices in the height of COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ferro.
“Emergence of trafficking of substandard and falsified medical products have had impact and could be harmful to the public, hence the public must be cautious and not to fall victim to such illegal activities,” he added.
