5 Chinese held over unregistered drinks

MANILA, Philippines — Five Chinese nationals have been arrested for allegedly selling unregistered drinks in San Simon, Pampanga, the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) reported yesterday.

The suspects – identified only as Fan, Xiong, Xiang, Zhang and Ze – were collared during a raid on a warehouse in Barangay San Pablo Libutad on Jan. 19.

The raid resulted in the seizure of 4,176 boxes of milk and energy drinks worth P1.6 million, according to CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II.

Morico said the products were not registered with the Food and Drug Administration.

Charges for violating Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act were filed against the suspects who failed to present travel documents and pertinent papers to authorities.