5 charged over P12 million substandard gadgets

MANILA, Philippines — Four Chinese nationals and a Filipino have been arrested for allegedly selling substandard laptops and cell phones at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Olongapo, Zambales, the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) reported yesterday.

The suspects – identified only as Liang, Liu, Xiao and Yuan – and their Filipino companion, Lori, were charged for violating Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

The suspects were arrested following a raid on the Subic Gateway Park on Thursday, which resulted in the seizure of 2,400 units of laptop computers and 65 cell phones valued at P12.19 million, according to CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II.

The sale of the devices reportedly lacked permits from the National Telecommunications Commission, and Department of Trade and Industry, Morico said.