NBI raids warehouses with "fake branded" rice

CEBU, Philippines – A total of 1,151 sacks of rice amounting to almost P3 million were confiscated by the National Bureau of Investigation yesterday morning from six different dealers in Cebu City and Mandaue City after these were shipped under a counterfeit brand.

NBI supervising agent Jose Ermie Monsanto said that the owner of Corona rice, Judelyn Lim, earlier complained to them against a brand of rice bearing the label "Crown" with a logo that looks similar to theirs. 

The other dealers issued with a search warrant were Master Grosser owned by Juvy Tuwala, V and H owned by Vincent Chan and EBT owned by Angeline Tan, all in Mandaue City.

In Cebu City the NBI also raided Wensor Trading in Barangay Mabolo owned by Marriane Dy, HWL Trading at the Tabo-an Public Market owned by Lanie Co and WRFA Commodities, along Arellano Blvd., owned by Francisco Ang.

Ang alleged that he had no idea that they were receiving a counterfeit brand.

"Ahente ra man gud na ang nakigsabot nako, igo ra sad ko nibayad, wa ko kahibaw nga illegal diay ni," he told reporters.

"We could just have two sacks for investigation but we have to get everything to satisfy the complainant," Monsanto said.

When sought for comment the representatives from Corona refused to give any statement.

Based on Section 168 of the Intelligence Property Code "a person who has identified in the mind of the public the goods he manufactures or deals in, his business or services from those of others, whether or not a registered mark is employed, has a property right in the goodwill of the said goods, business or services so identified, which will be protected in the same manner as other property rights".

Monsanto said they still have to identify the owner of Crown who may face a criminal case for unfair competition and an administrative case for infringement of patent. (FREEMAN)