Stores found selling ‘fake brand’ cigars
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Retail stores in this city on Wednesday were issued “warning letters” by Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Inc. (PMFTC Inc.) to stop selling cigarettes with fake brands of Marlboro, Fortune, and Jackpot.
The stores, where the fake brand cigarettes were found, are located in front of the Tacloban Public Market.
PMFTC had been working closely with law enforcement in pursuing traders and store owners who are involved with the illegal sale of fake items.
Local authorities were also alerted to the growing problem of counterfeit cigarettes, which are of poor quality, and denies the government Sin Tax revenues.
The traders were also warned that due to fake PMFTC products bearing fake BIR excise tax stamps, sellers commit violations of the National Internal Revenue Code, as well as Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. (FREEMAN)
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