BOC seizes P105-M fake goods

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated yesterday around P105 million worth of smuggled goods from China during a raid in Tondo, Manila.

Agents of the BOC intelligence and investigation service led by director Neil Estrella seized the fake items in three warehouses along Dagupan street following a three-month surveillance operation.

Estrella said they conducted the raid after receiving information that counterfeit products from China were smuggled into the country. 

He said the contraband included hundreds of boxes of deodorants, soaps, glue, insect spray, baby diapers, Spalding basketballs, mosquito coils, lighters, Mongol pencils, toothbrushes, steel scrubs and rain coats.   

“It is the policy of the government to protect the exclusive rights of brand owners under Republic Act 8293, the Intellectual Property Rights Act,” Estrella said. 

Jimmy Guban, leader of the raiding team, said the owners of the counterfeit items — all Chinese businessmen — refused to receive copies of the Letter of Authority and Mission Order issued by Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon.

Guban said the operators of the warehouses were told to present valid import documents for the shipments within 15 days but failed to do so.