The Manila Police District-Special Mayor’s Reaction Team have arrested five Chinese nationals in the city for selling overpriced face masks, amid the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus.
Surgical masks were being sold for P100 to P150 per box and N95 masks for P100 to P200 per piece.
SMaRT Investigation Chief Police Captain Edward Samonte said they received information regarding the selling of overpriced masks in a mall in Binondo, Manila, which prompted them to conduct a test buy.
“Nag-collect tayo ng mga resibo na allegedly ‘yong mga surgical masks ay binebenta nila ng P100 to P150 per box. ‘Yong N95 naman ay binebenta ng P100 to P200 per piece, which is overpriced,” Samonte said.
The shortage of face masks prompted a Health official to appeal for more access to the protective mask.
Director Celia Carlos of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine made the appeal a day after the Department of Health confirmed that a 44-year-old male Chinese patient at the San Lazaro hospital died of nCoV ARD. Carlos also asked for additional hazard pay given to health workers.
The Chinese patient, who died on Saturday, was the companion of the 38-year-old female Chinese national who was the first case of nCoV ARD in the Philippines.
Retailers of medical supplies in Bambang, Manila, said it had been a week since they last received a fresh supply of surgical face masks amid fears over the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak.
According to a report on Balitanghali by GMA News’ Mark Salazar on Monday, almost all medical supply stores in Bambang had a “Face mask not available” sign plastered across their windows.
Based on the suggested retail price of the Department of Trade and Industry, one box of surgical masks should only be priced at P40 to P50, while the N95 masks should cost P80 to P100 apiece.
The Chinese vendors were charged with violating Republic Act 7581 and RA 7394.
Authorities were also trying to find out if the five had work permits.
The Chinese nationals, meanwhile, denied the allegations against them.
Samonte reminded sellers not to take advantage of the 2019-nCoV situation in the country.
“Paalala namin na ibenta n’yo, ‘wag n’yo samantalahin ang ganitong sitwasyon… dahil may kakaharapin silang pananagutan sa batas,” he said.