3 Chinese busted for selling scrap motherboards without DENR permit

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP–CIDG) arrested three Chinese nationals for allegedly selling scrap electronic motherboards without a proper Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) permit.

In a statement on Thursday, the CIDG said it nabbed the suspects in a house in Barangay 177, Caloocan City last Wednesday afternoon.

The police identified the arrested foreigners by the aliases “Qui,” “Yao” and “Ki.”

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They were allegedly “selling and storing scrap motherboards from cellular phones and tablets without the necessary authority or permit from DENR.”

The arrested Chinese men were taken into police custody, awaiting charges for violating Republic Act No. 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act in relation to RA No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

“Electronic waste from cell phone and tablet motherboards is classified as hazardous waste and is regulated in the Philippines under Republic Act No. 6969,” the CIDG explained.

“Electronic scraps pose severe risks because they contain a dense mix of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. When these components are smashed, burned, or dumped improperly, they release highly toxic materials into the surrounding ecosystems and human bodies,” it added. /gsg