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imprisonment
DTI warns: Dishonest online buyers may face imprisonment
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Buyers found liable for deceiving online sellers may face imprisonment, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned Wednesday, as consumers turned to Internet shopping due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the Laging Handa briefing, DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo urged online sellers to document calls and text messages from bogus buyers.
“I-save ninyo rin kasi this is estafa under the Revised Penal Code, so it’s punishable by imprisonment,” she said.
Castelo said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are ready to accept complaints that will be forwarded to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which will evaluate whether to file charges in court.
“Kailangan lang “Kailangan lang tulungan rin tayo tulungan rin tayo ng complainant kung siya iyong seller or iyong food delivery food delivery platform na platform na makapag-complain siya, mag-execute ng affidavit at makapag-complain. Tutulungan natin sila sa PNP or sa NBI,” she said.
Last month, the House of Representatives approved on final reading the bill that seeks to regulate transactions in the e-commerce industry in the country.
House Bill 7805 reportedly makes it illegal to cancel orders for food and/or grocery items if the items have already been paid, are already in the possesthe possession of the sion of the ride-hailride-hailing service ing service partner or partner or in transit in transit to the consumer. sumer. (MNS) (MNS)
DTI UNDERSECRETARY RUTH CASTELO
PDEA inks deal with J&T Express to stop drug smuggling via delivery apps
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of agreement with courier service J&T Express to address the smuggling and transportation of drugs in the country using the mail and parcel system.
According to the PDEA, the trafficking of drugs through the service of delivery courier companies have become prevalent.
In August, PDEA operatives found 12 kilograms of shabu worth P81.6 million at courier service's regional headquarters in Mandaue City, Cebu during a random inspection.
Shabu was also found hidden in sanitary napkins and stuffed toys that were dropped at a courier service for delivery.
The PDEA has previously said that several suspects have admitted to using delivery apps to transport illegal drugs.
“PDEA cannot solve the country’s drug problem without the help of various stakeholders like J&T Express. Hence, our efforts and mechanisms to intercept [the] delivery of illegal drugs would only be possible with their cooperation,” PDEA director general Wilkins Villanueva said in a statement.
He also expressed gratitude to other courier service providers for ensuring that packages with illegal drugs are intercepted.
According to the agency, the signing of the MOA manifested the strong resolve of both parties to strengthen their partnership in the fight against drug trafficking.
The MOA was formally signed by PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva and Atty. Christoffer Liquigan, the Corporate General Counsel of J&T Express Philippines, among others at the PDEA National Headquarters. (MNS)
