Sellers of “fake” Nestle product fall, charged

CEBU, Philippines - The police arrested Monday two men and two women for selling allegedly fake “Magic Sarap” food seasoning, a product of Nestle Philippines, at the Mandaue City public market.

Arrested were Jaime Macabenta, 52, married; Noralyn Ancajas, 29, married, both residents of San Antonio Street, barangay Cambaro, Mandaue City; Christina Boris, 31, and her live-in-partner, Harly Ang, 31, both residents of barangay San Nicolas, Cebu City.

Victoria ‘Vicky’ Rosada, the fifth suspect, eluded arrest.

Investigative and Detective Management Bureau deputy chief P Sr./Insp Jimmy Fortes said the entrapment operation was hatched after a salesman of the Humabon Distributors Inc. that distributes the product complained that some vendors at the market have stopped buying from him because some people have started to sell the product at a much lower price.

Fortes said the legitimate distributor sells the food seasoning at P1,600 per box but rivals sell these at P1,400 per box.

Last Monday at around 4 p.m. Macabenta, Ancajas, and Rosada were at the Mandaue public market distributing the alleged fake Nestle product.

Humabon salesman Jessriel Pactol, 32, with the help of Joseph Dabon, a member of the Janitorial Services and Security Unit of city hall apprehended the three but Rosada was able to escape.

 Maricel Mali-os, a representative of Nestle Product Philippines, confirmed the product peddled were fake.

Five hours later, Ang and his live-in partner Boris who were in a multicab were arrested by barangay Cambaro officials.

The multicab carried 21 boxes of the fake product, Senior Insp. Jimmy Fortes, deputy chief in IDMB, said.

Boris told police she gets her supply from a certain Randy.

Charges were filed yesterday afternoon against the suspects in the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office. —  (FREEMAN)