7 convicted for selling COVID-19 drugs, test kits

MANILA, Philippines — Seven people arrested in various operations in Metro Manila for selling COVID-19 medicines and test kits and falsifying test results were convicted and meted with sanctions.

The seven were apprehended by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group under the supervision of CIDG director Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz in different entrapment operations from August to December 2021.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte, at the height of the pandemic, ordered a crackdown on people profiteering from the health crisis.

CIDG National Capital Region (NCR) field unit head Col. Randy Glenn Silvio said violators were meted prison terms ranging from six months to one year or fined from P5,000 to P50,000.

In a report, Silvio said these operations also prevented the circulation into the market of P5.64 million worth of test kits and medicines.

Among these violators is Paul Henry Ferra, who was arrested on Aug. 17, 2021. He was fined P50,000 by a court.

Another is Mary Anne Lachica, apprehended on Oct. 14, 2021, who received a fine of P10,000.

Nomeo Miano Jr. was sentenced to one year in prison and fined P50,000. He was arrested on Nov. 11, 2021.

Another violator, Kenneth Wright, was fined P50,000 and sentenced to six months to one year in prison. He was collared on Nov. 23, 2021.

Fritz Loza, who was caught on Dec. 15, 2021, was fined P50,000.

Jan Elvin Pascual and Neina Llonto, who were arrested on Sept. 3 and Sept. 7, were fined P5,000 each.

The CIDG has been coordinating with the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration to prevent the proliferation of unauthorized medicines and test kits.