By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Police arrested two suspects involved in the unauthorized sale of agricultural chemical products intended for free distribution to farmer beneficiaries in Isabela province.
In a statement on Wednesday, Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Director, Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, said the suspects, with aliases Rowena and Dennis, were arrested by members of CIDG-Isabela and the Department of Agriculture (DA) 2 (Cagayan Valley) in a buy-bust in Barangay San Fermin, Cauayan City on April 5.
Seized from the suspects were 43 sacks of DA-marked agricultural chemical inputs worth PHP1.75 million and a white L300 van used for transporting the items.
The DA distributes these products to farmers to protect crops from pests and enhance crop yields, aimed at increasing their productivity.
The operation stemmed from reports that reached the DA-2 that these products were being sold by unscrupulous individuals.
These products, labeled “Not For Sale,” are supposed to be given for free to farmer-beneficiaries under the government’s agricultural support program.
The suspects were charged before the National Prosecution Service with violations of Section 8 of Presidential Decree 1144 (Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority) for selling agricultural chemicals without license from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority ; and Republic Act 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, for the unlawful sale, distribution, and possession of government-provided agricultural products. (PNA)
