3 Chinese nationals, 2 Filipinos nabbed over unregistered skin products

TACLOBAN CITY — Three Chinese nationals and two Filipino sales staff were arrested Thursday, 8 October, in separate operations targeting the alleged sale of unregistered skin products in the city's commercial district.

The Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) identified the products as Skin Fighter and Zudaifu, topical treatments marketed for eczema, psoriasis, rashes, ringworm and other skin conditions.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously warned consumers against purchasing and using the products because they lack the required certificates of product registration.

The FDA said unregistered health products have not undergone its evaluation process, meaning their quality and safety cannot be assured.

TCPO chief Col. Marben Ordonia said the suspects face complaints for alleged violations of Republic Act 9711, or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, which prohibits the unauthorized sale and distribution of regulated health products.

The first operation, conducted along P. Burgos Street in Barangay 40, resulted in the arrest of two Chinese nationals identified as alias “Wen,” 50, and alias “Xin,” 26, along with a 21-year-old Filipino saleswoman known as “Sheng.”

In a separate operation at the Shopping Center in Barangay 13, authorities arrested a 36-year-old Chinese national identified as “Ming” and a 26-year-old Filipina known as “Jo.”

Police said all five suspects reside in Tacloban City.

The operations were carried out by the TCPO City Intelligence Unit and Police Station 2 in coordination with representatives of the FDA and Bureau of Customs following reports of unauthorized product sales.