Executive Judge Antonio Eugenio, Jr. of Manila RTC Branch 24 issued the search warrants for the raid that took place early this month.
NBI agents recovered 1,267 stethoscopes, 31 aneroid sphygmomanometers and 15 mercurial sphygmomanometers using the ALPK2 brand.
The brand is an intellectual property owned by Fumio Tanaka of Tokyo, Japan.
The law firm of Ong Bagay-Villamor Fabiosa, representing Tanaka filed a compliant with the NBI.
Prior to this, Tanaka’s private investigators IP Manila Associates discovered the illegal activities and conducted test-buys from the raided establishments.
Based on evaluations made by Tanaka’s representatives, the fake medical items were highly unreliable in determining a patient’s blood pressure and could give erroneous results that would seriously jeopardize the patient’s health. The NBI is preparing the filing of criminal charges, including trademark infringement and unfair Competition against the raided companies. Yap said they are merely waiting for a certification from the complainant before filing the criminal charges. – Evelyn Macaira