JTF COVID Shield Arrests 800 People Hoarding, Selling Overpriced Medical Supplies
800 – Joint Task Force COVID shield said they have arrested 800 people for hoarding and selling overpriced medical supplies amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported the first case of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in January 2020. A 38-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan City, China, the epicenter of the virus, tested positive for the COVID-19. Her husband, a 44-year-old Chinese, became the Philippines’ first coronavirus fatality.
After hearing about the incident, Filipino people are panic buying. They started hoarding face masks, toilet papers, alcohol, and other supplies following the surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.
In a previous article, Malacañang Palace called on the people to stop hoarding and selling overpriced items amid the COVID-19 crisis. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said violators will face appropriate sanctions.
“They should not be adding prices to the regular price. (Also), that should be raided by the PNP if there’s hoarding. That’s unlawful,” said Panelo.
Based on a report from RMN, the Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield said they have arrested more than 800 people hoarding and selling overpriced medical supplies and other basic needs amid the crisis. JTF COVID Shield Commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said Luzon had the biggest number of violators of the anti-hoarding policy. He said they arrested 530 violators in Luzon, 206 in Mindanao, and 69 in the Visayas.
According to the report, the public utility vehicles they apprehended has reached 10,766. Guillermo Eleazar said the drivers violated the quarantine protocols. He calls on the public to obey the government’s guidelines covering the battle against the spread of COVID-19.
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