Distributor of expired candies faces probe

DAVAO CITY — The distributor of the expired imported chocolate bars and fruit jellies that downed close to 500 schoolchildren here last Wednesday is facing investigation following reports that the damaged products were actually found in a garbage dump near his warehouse.

Jude Gotamco, proprietor of Composite Enterprises Inc., surfaced at the office of Vice Mayor Luis Bonguyan last Friday, and admitted he was the distributor of the expired imported sweets.

Gotamco, according to Bonguyan, expressed his willingness to be investigated on the incident.

Reports said garbage collector Nelson Paquito, a city employee, found the expired products near Gotamco’s warehouse and his relatives, in turn, sold them to ambulant vendors. — Edith Regalado