PNP: P152M worth of fake footwear seized in Pampanga raid
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has confiscated various counterfeit footwear products amounting to P152 million during a raid at a warehouse in San Simon, Pampanga on Saturday, Dec. 7.
PNP Chief, Police General Rommil Francisco Marbil said operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Pampanga Field Unit executed a series of search warrants against the facility operated by a certain “Chongjian”, a Chinese national doing business under the name “APEXEL.”
According to the PNP, the search warrants were issued by Hon. Maria Victoria A. Soriano-Villadolid, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 24, Manila, for violations of Section 155 in relation to Section 170 (Trademark Infringement) of R.A. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines
The facility, located in Barangay San Pablo Libutad, was illegally manufacturing fake “CROCS” footwear, said CIDG director, Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre, which is popular among young and adult consumers nowadays.
The suspect was not caught and he remains at-large but the six-hour raid, conducted from 9:30 a.m. to 8:45 p.m., resulted in the confiscation of over 45,000 pairs of counterfeit footwear bearing the trademark “Crocs.”
CIDG operatives also seized molding plates, raw materials, machinery, sales invoices, and order slips.
The operation was carried out in the presence of legal representatives of CROCS and local government officials in San Simon.
“This operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect the interests of businesses and consumers. Counterfeit goods not only undermine legitimate enterprises but also pose significant risks to public safety,” Marbil said.
“I commend the CIDG, the local government, and our partners at CROCS for their diligence and collaborative efforts in this significant achievement. We will continue to intensify our operations to combat all forms of illegal activities and ensure that justice prevails,” the national police chief added.