More than P12.2 million worth of alleged counterfeit products have been seized by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila, Quezon City, and Paranaque City.
With the seizure, NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago reminded the public "to ensure the authenticity of their purchases by buying only from authorized retailers or directly from official brand stores.”
Santiago said the raids were conducted based on complaints the NBI received from companies, one of them from Lee Gumgarner, Inc. (LBI) which represents Bath and Body Works and popular lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret.
Acting on the request of LBI, the NBI said it secured search warrants for Trademark Infringement and implemented these in Manila, Quezon City, and Paranaque City.
The operations resulted in “the seizure of counterfeit Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works products with an approximate value of P12,282,500.”
At the same time, the NBI said its Rizal District Office (NBI-RIZDO) also implemented a search warrant for trademark infringement, unfair competition, and violation of the Intellectual Property Code against establishments in Manila engaged in the marketing, distribution and sale of counterfeit products of China-based mobile phone maker Huawei.
It said NBI-RIZDO's operation "yielded positive results where P1 million worth of counterfeit Huawei products were seized.”