Woman nabbed for selling P15.5-M worth of DSWD relief goods

Authorities arrested a woman in Manila on Thursday for allegedly selling ₱15.5 million worth of relief goods from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) spokesperson Maj. Helen dela Cruz identified the suspect only as alias “Janice,” who was caught selling 6,000 “DSWD Family Kits” inside a warehouse in Barangay 56, Tondo. 

Each kit, marked “not for sale” and bearing the “Bagong Pilipinas” logo, was being sold at ₱2,588 apiece.

The entrapment operation was conducted following a tip from a private informant, with CIDG coordinating closely with the DSWD.

“The items discovered during the entrapment operation are in no way owned, operated, or affiliated with the DSWD. No DSWD personnel were involved. The department expresses its full support for the ongoing investigation and is prepared to take all necessary legal actions,” dela Cruz said, quoting the agency’s statement.

The suspect faces charges under Republic Act 10121 for selling relief goods and Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code for illegal use of insignia.

CIDG-NCR chief Lt. Col. John Guiagui said the suspect claimed to be a DSWD supplier selling “excess supply,” but emphasized that the goods should not have been sold, much less with official DSWD markings.