P600,000 halaga ng umano’y pekeng alak, nasabat sa lalaki sa Pasay

• A man was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation in Pasay City for allegedly selling counterfeit liquor at unusually low prices
• Authorities seized eight boxes containing 55 bottles of purportedly branded alcohol, reportedly worth around P600,000
• Investigators said the seller used Facebook to offer the products, allegedly using authentic bottles and photos to attract buyers
• Buyers were urged to purchase from authorized sellers and check labels, packaging, and product registration before buying liquor

An unidentified man was arrested in a parking lot in Pasay City for allegedly selling cheap liquor that authorities said was counterfeit.

According to John Consulta’s exclusive report on GMA’s State of the Nation, National Bureau of Investigation agents seized eight boxes containing 55 bottles from the suspect. The liquor, presented as branded products, had a reported total value of around P600,000.

Investigators said the suspect offered the products through Facebook. Authentic-looking listings and bottles allegedly helped make the items appear legitimate, even though their contents were fake.

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“Ang platform na ginamit niya ay Facebook. Gumagamit siya ng original na pictures. Pati yung bote. Pero yung laman niya, fake,” an NBI representative said in the report.

The unusually low selling prices prompted investigators to take a closer look at the products. Authorities reminded consumers to be cautious when an offer seems far cheaper than expected.

“Pag sobrang mura, magduda na tayo,” the representative warned.

Beyond the alleged sale of counterfeit products, investigators raised concerns about the safety of the liquor inside the bottles. They questioned where the drinks were produced, how they were prepared, and what ingredients were used.

“Hindi tayo tiyak kung anong ginamit na ingredients dito, pwedeng methanol, na pwede ikasama ng kalusugan ng tao,” the representative said.

The report warned about the potential danger of methanol poisoning from unsafe alcoholic drinks. However, the supplied report did not state that laboratory testing had confirmed methanol in the seized bottles.

That distinction matters because the warning concerned what the unknown contents could contain. Authorities’ statements did not establish the exact ingredients of the confiscated liquor.

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For the NBI, the operation also involved protecting consumers who might unknowingly purchase and drink counterfeit alcohol.

“More than protecting the rights of the brand owner, ang pinaprotektahan natin dito yung public health and safety,” the representative explained.

At the time of the report, the suspect was facing a complaint for an alleged violation of the Intellectual Property Code. GMA News was still trying to obtain his response to the allegations.

Authorities advised the public to buy alcoholic beverages only from authorized dealers or manufacturers. They also reminded buyers to examine the labels and packaging carefully before completing a purchase.

Products with missing or improper labels, unusually low prices, or signs of tampering should raise concern, according to the report. Buyers were advised to avoid suspicious items rather than rely only on how familiar the bottle looks.

Consumers may also check the Food and Drug Administration’s verification portal to help verify the products they intend to purchase.

Watch the video below:

In another report, a man was injured after he was allegedly attacked by a group of seven to 10 people at the plaza in Dueñas, Iloilo. A video showed several men surrounding the victim before he was repeatedly kicked during the incident. The attack reportedly happened at the Plaza of Dueñas. Based on initial information from the police, the victim had intentionally gone to the area because he wanted to confront a person who allegedly hurt his sibling.

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Meanwhile, a man was shot dead outside a school in Barangay Prinza, Teresa, Rizal, on Thursday afternoon, triggering a police manhunt and leaving his family grieving. According to a report by GMA News' "Unang Balita," the victim was shot in the head at around 4 p.m. The gunman reportedly escaped immediately after the attack. A viral video of the incident showed the victim lying on the ground while his live-in partner stayed beside him carrying their infant child.

Source: KAMI.com.gh