Seller of fake corn and rice seeds arrested in San Manuel, Isabela

San Manuel, Isabela – Hundreds of farmers might have fallen victim to sellers peddling fake corn and rice seeds if authorities hadn't halted the operation of a duo in San Manuel, Isabela, on Tuesday, January 9.

An entrapment operation conducted by the Isabela police led to the arrest of one seller and the confiscation of sacks and plastic bags filled with counterfeit paddy and corn seeds.

The operation was initiated at the request of the Department of Agriculture Region 2.

The total value of the seized fake seeds, bagged in amounts ranging from five to three kilos, is estimated at P250,000.

The arrested individual was identified by Isabela police as alias Dindo, 36 years old, a resident of San Manuel, Isabela.

Alias Dindo and the collected evidence were taken to the San Manuel Police Station and subsequently transferred to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Isabela Provincial Forensic Unit (PFU) office.

Meanwhile, the other suspect named Boss Pañing, a manager and resident of Ramon, Isabela, remains at large.

Ongoing investigations aim to apprehend Boss Pañing successfully.

Both individuals will be facing charges for violating RA 7394, also known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines.