BOC, IPOPHL shred P9.3 B worth of counterfeit goods

MANILA, Philippines – The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is set to destroy P9.3 billion worth of counterfeit goods this month to sustain gains in IP rights enforcement.

In a statement yesterday, the IPOPHL said the destruction of the counterfeit goods would be undertaken in Cabuyao, Laguna.

The seized goods consist of various items ranging from shirts, shoes, toys, electronic products and food seasoning.

The goods were confiscated as a result of joint operations of the Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police and the IPOPHL.

Such goods are also deemed unsafe for consumers.

“Border control is key to enforcement. Rest assured that the BOC will continue its drive in preventing the entry of counterfeit products in the country,” Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said.

For her part, IPOPHL director general Josephine Santiago said the agency would continue the progress made by the country in IP enforcement.

“Enforcement is part of IPOPHL’s vision which is an IP-conscious Philippines by 2020,” she said.

The Philippines made gains in IP enforcement as it was removed from the US Trade Representative (USTR) Special 301 Watch List in 2014 and 2015 amid government’s efforts to curb counterfeiting and piracy.

Before being taken out of the USTR’s list of countries with IP problems, the Philippines was part of the report every year since 1994.