BY: PNP-PIO
Subic Bay Freeport Zone — The Philippine National Police (PNP) scored a major victory against illegal trade after seizing over PHP 12 million worth of refurbished laptops and mobile phones and arresting five individuals in a coordinated operation in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
Led by CIDG RFU3 RSOT with support from CIDG Olongapo CFU, Olongapo City Police, and PIT-Zambales, the operation was carried out at Subic Bay Gateway Park following months of intelligence gathering.
“This operation shows that the PNP will not tolerate illegal business practices that harm consumers and legitimate enterprises,” said PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. “Hindi natin papayagan ang sinumang lumabag sa batas at manakot sa kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan. Each arrest sends a clear message—crime will be met with decisive action.”
Seized during the raid were 2,400 laptops—including Dell, Acer, HP, and Lenovo Chromebooks—along with 65 mobile phones and several business documents.
Investigators found that the refurbished devices, originally intended for export, were being illegally sold locally without clearance from the National Telecommunications Commission, resulting in tax evasion and unfair competition.
Criminal charges for violations of the Consumer Act, Unfair Competition, and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act are now being readied. Authorities are also pursuing Jia Zhoulong, a Chinese national believed to be the owner of the illegal operation.
The successful bust highlights the PNP’s firm stance in protecting consumers and lawful businesses, consistent with the vision of Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.