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Over P600-M fake products seized in Cavite, Bulacan: BOC

By Ferdinand Patinio

May 20, 2022, 8:09 pm

<p><em>(PNA photo by Gil S. Calinga) </em></p>

(PNA photo by Gil S. Calinga) 

MANILA  The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday reported the seizure of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) infringing goods worth over PHP600 million in various operations in Cavite and Bulacan.

In separate statements, the BOC said two teams have presented Letters of Authority (LOA) issued by BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, upon inspection of warehouses in the provinces.

The first operation, led Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)-IPRD, inspected the warehouses inside Maclane Storage Facility on Niog Road, Bacoor City, Cavite, where they found counterfeit goods bearing the brand names such as Nike, Adidas, Lacoste, Dickies, among others, worth PHP590 million on May 10, 2022.

The BOC said prior to sealing of the subject warehouses, BOC examiners, in the presence of CIIS and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) operatives, did the initial inventory of fake items.

Also, other items such as construction supplies, power tools, numerous marine communication and telecommunication devices, and assorted foodstuff, were also found during the operation.

Further on-site inspection also revealed two 40-foot containers filled with IPR-infringing goods.

It added that representatives of the warehouses and containers, who were not identified were informed by the implementing team to provide importation documents and other pertinent permits covering all goods found thereat.

Investigation is also underway for other possible violations of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (RA 8293) and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863).

The operation was in coordination with BOC-Port of Manila, and the AFP.

Meanwhile, authorities inspected warehouses at Fochun Industrial Compound in Balagtas, Bulacan where they found counterfeit goods estimated at PHP78 million on May 2.

The fake items and other products bearing the brands Adidas, Nike, Jordan, Gucci, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Honda, among others, were seized for failure of the owners to comply with the Department of Trade and Industry’s safety standards.

The subject warehouses have also been sealed after the BOC examiners initial inventory of various items and goods.

The owners and their representatives were invited during the operation and have issued certification of non-authenticity on those counterfeit goods.

Aside from the fake items, the team also found a container and upon checking of the importation documents, it was revealed that the declaration of the said cargo was steel channel but was found to contain aluminum profiles.

Also, the representatives of the warehouses were asked by the team to provide importation documents and other pertinent permits covering all goods found thereat.

Investigation is also underway for other possible violations of the Republic Act (R.A.) 4653, Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (R.A. 8293), Consumer Act of the Philippines (R.A. 7394), and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (R.A. 10863).

Those who provided assistance during the operation were BOC-Port of Manila, National Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region, and the AFP. (PNA) 

 

 

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