PAMPANGA, Philippines – Police seized some P52 million worth of electronic appliances, parts, and gadgets during two separate operations in Bulacan and Subic Freeport, Zambales, in a crackdown on smuggled goods, on February 6 and 9.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested four suspects, including a Chinese national, while three other Chinese suspects are still being pursued.
Both operations were carried out under separate search warrants. Authorities raided Hot Screen Electric Corporation at Global Street, Sterling Industrial Park, Barangay Libtong, Meycauayan City, and Enjoy Electronics Subic International at Corregidor Highway, Ilanin West District, on smuggling charges and alleged violations of the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
The Bulacan operation resulted in the confiscation of electronic items, including 3,185 smart TVs of various brands, TV assemblies, panels, monitors, remote controls, power supplies, speakers, and LED boards, estimated to be worth over P43 million.
In Subic, authorities seized some P9 million worth of items, including 2,000 TV motherboards, 1,286 TV panel boards, 830 back covers, and 42 TV sets. Authorities also found 313 TV front covers, 100 speakers, 310 power cords, 4,000 power boards, along with packaging materials, brand stickers, and delivery receipts.
Authorities said some of the seized items were used parts repurposed to assemble smart TVs, which were then sold as brand new.
Four suspects arrested in the Bulacan operation, including one of the owners, Chi Ho, a Chinese, and three Filipinos identified only as Lyn, Vina, and Jhannylyn, were charged with violations of the Consumer Act of the Philippines. They were detained in Camp Olivas.
However, Enjoy Electronics official Zuhai Huang and its shareholders Wang Teng Teng, Huang Xiaoping, and Huang Wufa, all Chinese and residents of Ilanin West District, remain at large.
CIDG acting director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III said the operations aimed to curb the illegal manufacturing and distribution of electronic appliances and gadgets, which he noted not only threaten public welfare but also destabilize the country’s economy.
“The company (Hot Screen Electric) imports various electronic parts that they assemble into television sets and sell them to local markets without proper licensing and authorization. This is a common cause of fires,” Torre said.
“CIDG is committed to conducting operations against individuals and groups violating laws to protect consumers and ensure fairness in business and industry,” Torre told Rappler on Monday, February 10. “We are determined to enforce the law and arrest violators, sending a clear message that we will not tolerate such activities.”
Authorities brought the seized items to the CIDG regional and provincial offices in Camp Olivas, Pampanga. – Rappler.com