Bulacan Raids: P6 Million Worth of Unregistered Mosquito Coils and Machines Seized

In a joint operation carried out by the police and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Pandi and Marilao, Bulacan, a significant haul of unregistered mosquito coils and machines, valued at no less than P6 million, was seized. The raids were prompted by test purchases conducted in Marilao, which uncovered the presence of unregistered mosquito coils bearing a Chinese brand, as reported by John Consulta on “24 Oras.”

The operation in Pandi resulted in the arrest of three Chinese nationals and one Filipino, all of whom will be charged with violating the FDA Act and the Consumer Act. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group emphasized the potential dangers of unregistered mosquito coils to public health, as their contents have not undergone the necessary safety evaluations.

Police Colonel Jess Mendez, the chief of CIDG Region 3, highlighted the prevailing mindset in rural areas where people unknowingly purchase unauthorized mosquito coils, stating, “Especially in the provinces, the mindset is to simply buy mosquito coils without realizing that they are unauthorized products. We don’t know the consequences if people, particularly children, inhale these coils. We are unaware of the effects it may have on each individual’s health.”

It is worth noting that in 2022, the FDA issued an advisory cautioning against the sale and use of Wawang mosquito coil due to the product’s failure to undergo the agency’s required testing procedures.