NBI raids Isabela gas station

Elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently confiscated an estimated P5 million worth of signages and equipment from a gasoline station in Isabela province that has allegedly been using the trademark of Caltex Philippines.

NBI Head Agent Jose Justo Yap, of the NBI-Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD), raided the Caltex Supreme Service Station (CSSS) located along Bantug Highway, Roxas, Isabela reportedly owned by Gregorio and Linda Espejo.

Yap said they are now preparing to file charges of false designation of origin and unfair competition under the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

Special Investigator 4 Carlos Borromeo III said it was reported that the owners of the establishment used to be a franchise dealer of Caltex. However, some time last year the company noticed that it has stopped placing gasoline orders .

They conducted a test-buy at the station and examined the gasoline samples. After verifying that the station was not selling Caltex products despite maintaining the oil company’s signages, they secured the search warrants and seized the pieces of equipment with Caltex markings.

"When we effected the raid, we had a chemist with us who tested the petroleum products they were selling. It turned out that they were not selling Caltex products," Borromeo said. — Evelyn Macairan