SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines, Feb. 9, 2026 — Authorities raided a warehouse inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone last week and seized millions of pesos worth of substandard electronic gadgets, leading to the arrest of four Chinese nationals and one Filipino. 

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), backed by the National Telecommunications Commission, carried out the operation at the Subic Gateway Park on Feb. 5, armed with a search warrant for violations of Republic Act 7394, also known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Investigators discovered 2,400 refurbished laptop computers and 65 assorted mobile phones, with an estimated market value of over P12 million. The suspects — identified only as Liang, Liu, Xiao, Yuan, and their Filipino companion Lori — were charged for allegedly selling and distributing substandard gadgets. 

According to police, the warehouse had been operational since October 2025, storing rejected or old devices imported from China and reselling them locally.

CIDG officials said the raid dismantled an illicit refurbishing and trading scheme that posed risks to consumers who unknowingly purchased defective or unsafe electronics. 

“Nakakuha po tayo ng sari-saring laptop, refurbished laptop, at assorted cellphone na nagkakahalaga ng P12,195,000,” authorities confirmed in a televised report, stressing that the operation was part of a broader crackdown on counterfeit and substandard goods.

The suspects are now facing charges under the Consumer Act, which prohibits the sale and distribution of products that fail to meet safety and quality standards. The CIDG emphasized that the case serves as a warning to other groups engaged in similar schemes, as the government intensifies efforts to protect consumers and uphold fair trade practices. 

Image from CIDG