POLICE arrested two Chinese and two Filipinos who are allegedly involved in the production of unregistered “katol,” or mosquito coils, in Bulacan.
The operation, conducted by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration, also resulted in the seizure of P4 million worth of “Wawang” mosquito coils.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat named the suspects as Chinese Yanfen Guo, 35 and Guangkun Lin, 40; and Filipinos Michael Wu Shi, 41; and Febe Joy Fajardo Al-Rawahi, 39.
Yanfen is said to be the manager of the establishment involved in the illegal activity while Guangkun is the assistant manager, Shi the owner and Al-Rawahi the secretary.
“The suspects were caught in the act of managing and supervising the production of mosquito coils,” the CIDG said in a statement.
Police said the four were arrested during a buy-bust operation last Thursday at Pandi Industrial Park, Barangay Cupang in Pandi, Bulacan.
“During the operation, our undercover operative tried to buy mosquito coils but Shi sensed he was dealing with the police,” said Caramat.
However, the operative saw the actual production of the illegal mosquito coils.
“This became the basis for other members of the joint operating team to conduct on-the-spot inspection,” said Caramat, adding the establishment also lacked permit to operate.
Seized during the operation were 190 big boxes of finished mosquito coil worth P4 million, raw materials, and electric machines.
The CIDG said 21 underpaid Filipino workers were rescued during the operation. The 21 were turned over to the care of a barangay official.
The suspects are facing charges for violation of RA 9711 (Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009) and RA 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines).
