Authorities seize P6.2M worth of substandard plywood in Pampanga raid

Authorities seized around P6.2 million worth of alleged substandard plywood during an operation in Barangay Dela Paz, San Simon, Pampanga, on 8 December.

The operation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 3, in coordination with the CIDG Pampanga Provincial Field Unit and the San Simon Municipal Police Station.

Law enforcement agents implemented a search warrant for violation of Article 18(a) of Republic Act No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, at Asiaway Resources Trading, Inc., located inside Global Aseana Park 1. The operation led to the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of 7,024 pieces of alleged substandard Crocodile phenolic plywood valued at P6,231,200.

In a report submitted to CIDG Acting Director Police Major General Robert Aa Morico II, the arrested suspect was identified only as Tian, a 48-year-old Chinese national. He was allegedly caught in possession and control of, and engaged in the distribution and trade of, substandard construction materials—particularly Crocodile-brand plywood—without the required clearance from the Department of Trade and Industry–Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI–BPS).

Incidental to the lawful search and arrest, authorities also recovered one improvised shotgun, locally known as a sumpak, and four 12-gauge shotgun slugs.

The CIDG emphasized that it is the policy of the State to protect consumer interests, promote general welfare, and establish standards of conduct for business and industry.

The absence of the Philippine Standard (PS) mark on products indicates that an item has not been certified by the Bureau of Philippine Standards as meeting mandatory quality and safety requirements. The sale of products without a PS mark violates the Product Standards Law and may result in penalties and confiscation.