Authorities seized an estimated P3.14 million worth of alleged unregistered palm and coconut oil during a joint enforcement operation in Davao City on June 11, 2026, resulting in the arrest of a 23-year-old male suspect.
Personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Davao City Field Unit, together with the Food and Drug Administration–Mindanao East Cluster Regulatory Enforcement Unit (FDA-MECREU) and Sta. Ana Police Station, conducted the operation at a cooking oil facility located at the corner of Monteverde and Bangoy Streets at around 10:00 p.m.
Authorities confiscated four large tanks of palm and coconut oil weighing approximately 9.5 tons, five containers holding about 5,000 liters of coconut oil, as well as weighing scales, empty tanks, and other containers.
The suspect, identified only as “Al,” was allegedly caught selling and trading cooking oil products that were not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and operating without a License to Operate (LTO), in violation of Section 10(k) of Republic Act No. 9711 or the FDA Act of 2009.
In a report submitted to CIDG Director PMGEN Robert AA Morico II, authorities said the operation targeted the distribution of food products that had not undergone FDA evaluation, raising concerns over safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
CIDG emphasized that the manufacture, sale, distribution, or transfer of food products without FDA authorization is prohibited under the law, warning that such products cannot be guaranteed safe for public consumption.
CIDG officials commended PLTCOL Ariel T. Huesca, Acting Regional Chief of CIDG RFU 11, and PMAJ Winnie T. Lampuyas of the Davao City Field Unit for the successful operation.
The CIDG said it remains committed to enforcing food safety and consumer protection laws nationwide and urged the public to report illegal manufacturing and trading activities in their communities.