NBI confiscates P3-million fake beauty products

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized nearly P3 million worth of assorted counterfeit Procter and Gamble (P&G) products in Binondo, Manila recently.

In a report to lawyer Dante Bonoan, chief of Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD), the NBI said its agents raided a warehouse and stalls at the New Divisoria Mall and four other warehouses in Binondo and Sta. Cruz.

The raid resulted in the seizure of 5,898 fake Head and Shoulder, Pantene, Olay and Rejoice products.

Lawyer Joel Tovera, executive officer of the NBI-IPRD, said the simultaneous raids stemmed from complaints filed by Anthony Francis Manankil of Global Times Holdings Limited, representing their client, Procter & Gamble Phils.

Special Investigator III Glenn Lacaran said the NBI agents were armed with search warrants issued by Judge Antonio Eugenio Jr., of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 24.

The owners of the raided establishments will be charged with violating Republic Act 8293, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. – Sandy Araneta