The Bureau of Customs said that the government’s continuous effort in combating illicit goods would entice foreign investors to do business in the Philippines. Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said on Tuesday, March 14, that the bureau’s intensified operation against fake goods will be unabated to support government’s effort to attract investors. Last March 9, sneaker company Nike Asia Pacific lauded the Customs bureau for the successful seizures of billions of counterfeit footwear, including fake Nike shoes, in Manila and Malabon. After the operation, representatives of Nike paid a courtesy call on Customs Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy and committed to increase their trade in the Philippines through physical stores and e-commerce platforms. "The Bureau of Customs' continuous actions in combating illicit goods at the border or the supply source, which greatly encourages foreign investments in our country,” Uy said. He assured that the Customs will continue the implementation of Letters of Authority against violators of Intellectual Property (IP) rights. For his part, Rubio said “these counterfeit products do not have the required documentations, and they endanger the safety of those who use them.” "As the BOC remains vigilant against these IPR-infringing goods, we also encourage the public against purchasing or supporting these goods," the Customs chief added. In a related development, the Customs bureau also reported that the agency confiscated counterfeit cigarettes in Sulu, containing 18,533 master cases of assorted imported cigarettes valued at P1.4 billion. "Our success in conducting our enforcement operations anywhere in the country is attributed to the streamlined procedures and coordination between all BOC offices, collection districts, and partner agencies," Rubio said. "We will continue to modernize our information-sharing systems and enforcement assets to ensure that we are a step ahead against unscrupulous importers," he added.