NBI raids yield P13-M in counterfeit goods

MANILA: Authorities have urged the public not to buy fake products as raids conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over the weekend yielded PHP13 million worth of counterfeit luxury items. In a statement Tuesday, the NBI said two separate operations conducted by its Rizal District Office (NBI-RIZDO) and National Capital Region office (NBI-NCR) on July 5, 2024 yielded counterfeit Huawei products, and fake beauty products bearing the Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works brand. NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the successful raids mark 'a considerable development in our efforts to protect consumers and preserve the integrity of legitimate brands.' Santiago said NBI-RIZDO received a complaint letter requesting assistance in the conduct of investigation for violation of RA No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) by individuals and establishments in Manila engaged in the marketing, distribution, and sale of counterfeit Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Products. Twelve search warrants were implemented, resulting in the seizure of PHP1 million worth of counterfeit Huawei products. Meanwhile, Lee Bumgarner, Inc. (LBI), on behalf of Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works, also filed a complaint before the NBI-NCR, requesting investigation and enforcement action to stop the proliferation and distribution of fake beauty products. Acting on the said request, NBI-NCR operatives implemented search warrants for trademark infringement in the City of Manila, Quezon City, and Paranaque City, which resulted in the seizure of counterfeit Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works products with an approximate value of PHP12,282,500. Santiago encouraged the public 'to ensure the authenticity of their purchases by buying only from authorized retailers or directly from official brand stores.' Source: Philippines News Agency