VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — Authorities arrested seven individuals and confiscated more than ₱5.5 million worth of alleged adulterated, unlabeled, and unregistered cooking oil during simultaneous law enforcement operations conducted in Valencia City, Bukidnon on June 18, 2026.
The operations, carried out at around 11:00 a.m., were led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Provincial Field Units of Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro in coordination with representatives from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and local police units. The coordinated crackdown targeted a warehouse and a retail store located in Barangay Poblacion, Valencia City.
According to a report submitted to CIDG Director Police Major General Robert A.A. Morico II, authorities arrested a total of seven suspects—four apprehended at the sari-sari store and three at the warehouse. All suspects are of legal age and residents of Bukidnon.
Investigators said the suspects were caught allegedly engaged in the sale and distribution of recycled, unlabeled, unregistered, and adulterated cooking oil, raising serious concerns over food safety and consumer protection.
Massive Volume of Suspected Illegal Cooking Oil Seized
During the operation, the CIDG Bukidnon Provincial Field Unit discovered a large-scale stockpile of cooking oil inside the warehouse. Seized were a storage tank containing approximately 15,000 liters of cooking oil, 1,478 gallons, and 355 repacked plastic containers filled with cooking oil. The confiscated items were estimated to be worth around ₱4.33 million.
Meanwhile, the CIDG Cagayan de Oro Provincial Field Unit confiscated two storage tanks containing approximately 9,700 liters of cooking oil, 100 containers with a capacity of 15 liters each, and 175 repacked plastic cooking oil containers. The seized products were valued at approximately ₱1.2 million.
The combined value of the confiscated cooking oil products reached ₱5,526,672.00.
Authorities further revealed that the warehouse and all storage tanks involved in the operation had no certificate, permit, or license to operate issued by the FDA, making the manufacturing, storage, and distribution activities illegal under existing laws.
Violations of Food Safety and Consumer Protection Laws
The operation stemmed from alleged violations of several national laws, including Republic Act No. 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, and Republic Act No. 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013.
Under Republic Act No. 9711, the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution, and transfer of food and health products without the necessary registration and authorization from the FDA are strictly prohibited.
PMGEN Morico emphasized that the distribution and sale of substandard and unregistered cooking oil pose significant risks to public health and represent a blatant violation of government food safety regulations.
“These products have not undergone the required evaluation and certification process of the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, their quality, safety, and suitability for public consumption cannot be guaranteed,” the CIDG chief stressed.
Commitment to Consumer Protection
The CIDG leadership commended Police Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Jay S. Ragonton, Officer-in-Charge of CIDG Regional Field Unit 10, along with the operating units led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Ian N. Datiles of CIDG Bukidnon and Police Major Gerson A. Soliven of CIDG Cagayan de Oro, for the successful implementation of the operation.
The agency described the crackdown as a significant step in its ongoing campaign against illegal manufacturing activities and the unlawful trade of consumer products across the country.
CIDG reiterated its commitment to aggressively enforce laws designed to safeguard consumers and protect public health from potentially harmful and unregulated products.
The agency also urged the public to remain vigilant when purchasing consumer goods, particularly food products, and encouraged citizens to immediately report suspicious manufacturing, distribution, or selling activities in their communities.
“Protecting consumers from unsafe and illegal products remains a top priority. We encourage the public to partner with law enforcement by reporting questionable activities so that immediate action can be taken,” the CIDG said.
The arrested suspects and the confiscated evidence were placed under the custody of the operating units for documentation and the filing of appropriate charges. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the operation and identify other individuals who may be involved in the alleged illegal cooking oil distribution network.