Chinese national, helper nabbed for P2.2-M ukay-ukay

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Management Group (CIDG)-7 in coordination with authorities here arrested a Chinese national and his Filipino helper for the alleged importation of used clothing locally known as “ukay-ukay” in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental last Thursday.

Arrested were Gou Xin Huo, 48; and Lauro Lastima Ramirez, 28.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Wilfredo Alarcon Jr., Dumaguete City police chief, said the arrest happened after authorities raided a warehouse at Barangay Banilad, by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Dinah B. Tabada-Chu of Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC)-Branch 1 in Dumaguete City.

Alarcon said the suspects violated the Republic Act 4653 which prohibits “the commercial importation of textile articles commonly known as used clothing and rags.”

Recovered from the warehouse were 76 sacks of used clothing and shoes and 256 bundles of other used clothing.

The items were allegedly smuggled by the Chinese national, who failed to present pertinent documents and permits allowing her to store and sell the items which were reportedly made in China, Alarcon said.

Alarcon said both suspects will be released from police custody if they each post the P30,000 bail.