Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at the Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) chief Alvin Enciso checks counterfeit items discovered in the Binondo warehouse raided by a composite team on Tuesday. (Photo from the Bureau of Customs)
MANILA, Philippines — Around P10 billion worth of counterfeit goods, including bags, shoes, and other items, were discovered during a raid at a warehouse in Binondo, Manila, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Wednesday.
BOC, in a report, said that a team composed of its Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), and the Philippine Coast Guard’s Task Force Aduana implemented the Letter of Authority (LOA) signed by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.
The LOA was released after they received reliable information on the said warehouse. Upon inspection, fake bags, shoes, and other counterfeit items like clothing, apparel, kitchenware, electronics, and beauty products were found.
BOC said warehouse representatives acknowledged the LOA and gave a nod to the inspection. After that, the warehouse was padlocked and sealed.
Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Juvymax Uy said that the raid and the padlocking of the warehouse are important because the sale of counterfeit products will hurt local markets and foreign brands that are bringing investments into the country.
“Our BOC officials used all available resources and tools to thwart this attempt to enter such a huge amount of counterfeit items into our market. Imagine what this could do to our local producers and the foreign brands that invest in us?” Uy asked.
BOC said that the inventory of the goods would be conducted by the assigned Customs examiner and would be witnessed by agents from the CIIS and Enforcement and Security Service (ESS).
Then, the owners of the warehouse and the counterfeit goods would be asked to show importation documents or proof of payment.
Should the owners fail to present the proper documents, the said items would be seized and forfeited for violation of Section 1400 (Misdeclaration in goods declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (Property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). — With reports from Meralyn Melitante, trainee