Manila seizes 'dirty candy' from junkshop

MANILA, Philippines - Manila health personnel seized yesterday thousands of pieces of chocolate and other types of candies that were found among flood debris and later offered for sale at a junkshop in Tondo, Manila.

The Manila Mayor’s Complaints and Action Team and the Manila Health Department raided Capulong Merchandise, owned by Eraño Pangilinan, who denied he was selling the candies.

He said he only collected the sweets from floodwaters and mud since he wanted to recycle their wrappers. Among the products seized were ice candies or ice pops, cookies, chocolates, and juice in tetra packs.

Lawyer Amado Tetangco, executive assistant of the Manila Health Department’s sanitation division, said junkshop owners call this mode of selling as “linis-karga.”   – Sandy Araneta