Over 200 sacks of alleged fake fertilizers seized in Tarlac

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region 3 confiscated more than 200 bags of alleged fake fertilizer inside a warehouse in Camiling, Tarlac.

According to John Consulta's report on "24 Oras," the bags were even sealed under the name of a legitimate brand.

“May halong burak, mga kung ano-anong molases na hindi dapat nandyan, so talagang fake itong ginagawa nila. Nagpapa-print lang sila ng sako, ginagaya ang markings, doon nila nilalagay,” Police Colonel Jess Mendez of CIDG Region 3 said.

The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) issued a certification that the establishment is not authorized to manufacture fertilizer.

According to University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) experts, using fake fertilizer is dangerous.

“Dahil hindi siya lumusot sa FPA, di natin alam ang composition nito, posibleng merong heavy metals at yung heavy metals ‘pag napasama sa lupa, pwedeng higupin ng halaman, at ‘pag kinain natin yung mga fruits at saka ‘yung yield ng halaman, pwedeng makasama sa atin at nakakasama din sa lupa,” UPLB Soil Science Division Associate Professor Victorino Bato said.

A complaint has been filed against the establishment owner for violating Republic Act 1144 or the Fertilizer and Pesticide Act.

GMA Integrated News team is still trying to get a statement from the arrested businessmen.

“Bumili sa mga tamang bilihan, yung mga authorized ng Department of Agriculture,” Mendez said.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News