By: Billy Nuqui
TARLAC CITY — More than ₱1.1 million worth of cooking oil products were confiscated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) during an operation conducted in Sitio Allied, Barangay San Rafael, Tarlac City, as part of the intensified campaign against illegal and unregistered food products.
The operation was led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Tarlac Provincial Field Unit, in coordination with the Tarlac City Police Station. Authorities implemented a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 63, Tarlac City, in connection with alleged violations of the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, also known as Republic Act No. 9711.
During the orderly and coordinated operation, law enforcement officers seized hundreds of containers of cooking oil, including palm oil and coconut oil products. Authorities also confiscated transaction records, delivery receipts, a Samsung tablet, and other pieces of evidence relevant to the case. The total estimated value of the seized items reached ₱1,152,492.00.
According to PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., the operation underscores the PNP’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that products sold in the market meet safety standards.
“This operation demonstrates our firm determination to protect the public and ensure that products circulating in the market are safe for consumption,” Nartatez said.
He added that the accomplishment forms part of the PNP’s Focused Agenda through the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) framework, which aims to strengthen proactive and effective law enforcement initiatives.
The PNP also warned the public against purchasing cooking oil products—particularly from markets and vendors that are unknown or unauthorized—as these may pose serious health risks.
All confiscated evidence was brought to the CIDG Tarlac Provincial Field Unit office at Camp General Francisco S. Macabulos for proper documentation and disposition.
The PNP reaffirmed its commitment under its program, “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman,” which seeks to ensure the safety and welfare of every citizen through intensified law enforcement efforts.