CIDG nabs 5 Chinese, Filipino allegedly selling substandard gadgets from China

Five Chinese and a Filipino were nabbed at a warehouse in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City for allegedly repairing and reselling substandard gadgets from China.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Emil Sumangil on Friday, authorities from the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) conducted a raid on the warehouse, which had been found to be operational since October 2025.

The warehouse was found to have been storing various rejected or old gadgets from China, which the suspects allegedly resold.

“Nakakuha po tayo ng sari-saring laptop, refurbished laptop, at assorted cellphone na nagkakahalaga ng P12,195,000. Ito'y galing sa China… Mabibili yung mga tablet na ito sa halagang P2,000, mga refurbished laptop at mobile phones na ito sa halagang P2,000 hanggang P5,000,” said CIDG Region 3 Deputy Regional Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Philam Jay Balaqui.

(We found several laptops, refurbished laptops, and assorted cellphones that amount to P12,195,000. These are from China… These tablets can be bought for P2,000, while these refurbished laptops and mobile phones cost P2,000 to P5,000.)

“May nahuli tayong 5 Chinese national. Sila po yung mga nagmamay-ari, mga manager, supervisor, at isang Pilipino kung saan siya naman po sir yung naga-act as translator ng mga Chinese na ito… Magko-coordinate din kami sa Bureau of Immigration para alamin kung ito bang mga Chinese national na ito ay may mga kaukulang papeles,” he added.

(We arrested 5 Chinese nationals. They are the owner, manager, supervisor, and one Filipino who acted as these Chinese individuals’ translator… We will also coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration to check whether these Chinese nationals have the appropriate documents.)

Balaqui shared that the suspects will be repairing the broken or rejected gadgets by replacing pieces of the gadgets with other items, which guaranteed a cheaper price due to a lower quality.

“Wala silang permit galing sa NTC, ibig sabihin unang-una hindi sila nagbabayad ng tax. Pangalawa, pag bumili tayo ng ganitong laptop, mga cellphone, wala itong warranty. So kung masisira, kahit nakamura nga tayo hindi naman natin sigurado yung kalidad,” Balaqui said.

(They have no permit from the NTC, which means that they are not paying taxes. Second, if we buy these kinds of laptops, they have no warranty. So if it breaks, even if we got it for cheap, then we’re not really too sure about the quality.)

The suspects will face charges for violating the Consumer Act of the Philippines, Unfair Competition Act, and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News