MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated yesterday P500 million worth of “ukay-ukay” or used clothes and goods that violate the intellectual property rights (IPR) law.
BOC agents raided four buildings, which have around 100 storage rooms, along Cuneta Avenue in Pasay City, said Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service director Neil Anthony Estrella.
“We are first paralyzing the source since they are the ones that deliver the fake goods and used clothing. We are now killing their warehouses. Next, we would operate on these shopping malls that are selling retail,” he said.
Most of the items seized in yesterday’s raid were clothes, shoes, slippers and makeup and were meant to be sold in the provinces, according to Estrella.
“We are serious about going after IPR violators because there are several complainants, mostly brand owners. It is also a public health issue and it would affect the country’s economy,” he said.