Mayor Isko wants NBI to probe firm selling products with label stating Manila as province of China

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno has requested the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the operations of business firm, Elegant Fumes Beauty Products Inc., which he recently ordered closed for selling beauty products with a label stating its Manila address as "province" of China.

In a letter addressed to NBI director Eric Distor dated August 20, Moreno said, "We are requesting that an investigation be conducted on the business operations of EFPBI and if warranted, cause the filing of criminal complaints against the corporation and its officers and/or incorporation.”

"We are looking forward to your prompt response on this matter. We are willing to submit relevant documents in our possession which may aid your office in the investigation," Moreno added.

NEWS ALERT: Manila City Mayor @IskoMoreno to @NBI_OFFICIAL_PH, “We are requesting that an investigation be conducted on the business operations of EFPBI and if warranted, cause the filing of criminal complaints against the corporation and its officers and/or incorporation.” —JNL pic.twitter.com/vWjw3FSAdn

— Manila Public Information Office (@ManilaPIO) August 20, 2020

Moreno said the company was selling a hair care product, “Ashley Shine Keratin Treatment Deep Repair," with a label saying that its address in Binondo is a “province of the People’s Republic of China.”

Moreno pointed out that the packaging of the said product is "an affront to the sovereignty of the Philippines and an insult to its duly constituted authorities."

He said the firm had supposedly violated some provisions of the Consumer Act of the Philippines and the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 as well as engaging in online selling without the needed permits.

In a separate Dobol B sa News TV interview, Moreno also warned sellers in retail platforms Shopee and Lazada that they could also be held liable if they sell the firm's product.

"Hopefully may nakikinig sa Lazada o Shopee, kayo diyan sa Lazada o Shopee, baka ginagamit ang inyong online store as a gateway to sell this product. You might be held liable also," Moreno said.

He also warned the public against using the product.

He reiterated that he wants the Chinese nationals, allegedly operating the business form, to be deported. On Thursday, he identified them as Shi Zhong Xing and Shi Li Li.

"Akin pong gagawin ay susulat sa Bureau of Immigration to deport and declare these two Chinese nationals as undesirable aliens," Moreno had said in a press release.

Manila Business and Licensing Office head Levi Facundo earlier said it has coordinated with the operator of Divisoria Mall to not allow the establishments selling the product to reopen until they coordinate with the city government. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ/AOL, GMA News