P550-M fake goods seized in Pasay

MANILA, Philippines - At least P550 million worth of imitations of branded goods were seized during a raid on two warehouses in Baclaran, Pasay City yesterday.

The warehouses, reportedly owned by Chinese businessmen, stored footwear, pants, shampoos, lotions, colognes and soaps, according to agent Terrence Agustin of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Intellectual Property Rights Division.

The raid was conducted by the NBI, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Intellectual Property Office. The three agencies are still trying to determine the owners of 56 stalls in the warehouses where the imitation goods were found, as well as the warehouses’ owners.

After a month-long surveillance, personnel from the three agencies – all members of the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights – served the warrant of seizure and detention issued by the BOC.

They raided the six-story AX Building, which has 46 stalls; and the Bagong Milenyo Building, which has 10 stalls.

Chinese connection

Outside the AX Building was a piece of cardboard with a “warehouse for hire” sign written in Chinese. There were also several receipts and goods identified in Chinese, BOC Commissioner John Sevilla said.

He believes that the logbooks and lists of restaurants and suppliers could provide leads to the identities of the fake goods’ owners.

Sevilla also discussed the possibility that the goods were imported in big batches because some documents indicate that the vessel that transported them was limited to traveling between China and the Philippines.

The seized goods, reportedly set to be distributed nationwide, will be destroyed, he said, adding that “these would not be donated because in the first place they should not have even entered the country.”

Sevilla said the discovery of the fake goods, which filled all six floors of the AX Building, clearly indicates the BOC needs to improve its system of examining shipments.

“This managed to leave the ports...It underlines the fact we need to be doing a better job in examination,” he said.