2 online sellers arrested over fake products

MANILA, Philippines — A businessman and his partner have been arrested in Laguna for allegedly selling expired and fake beauty products on social media, police reported yesterday.

The suspects, identified as Argie Pallanan, 35, and Lara Garcia, 28, were collared in an entrapment in Barangay San Isidro, Cabuyao City.

Charges for violating Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 were filed yesterday against the suspects before the City Prosecutor’s Office, according to Lt. Col. Stefanio Rabino, Cabuyao police chief.

The arrest stemmed from a complaint filed by Michael Angelo Reyes, human resource officer of the Beauty Elements Ventures Inc., who claimed the suspects have been selling fake BEVI cosmetic products on various social media platforms.

The suspects were arrested after receiving the marked money paid by police officers who posed as buyers of the products they are selling.