THE Bureau of Customs (BOC), through its Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Intellectual Property Rights Division (CIIS-IPRD), seized smuggled infringing goods with an estimated value of Php 600,000,000.00 in Kawit, Cavite.
Armed with a Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, the implementing team composed of personnel from the CIIS-IPRD, BOC-Port of Manila (POM), BOC Revenue Collection and Monitoring Group (RCMG) – Legal Service, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) inspected a warehouse located in Toclong-San Sebastian Road, Kawit, Cavite.
Prior sealing the subject warehouse, BOC examiners, in the presence of CIIS and the AFP operatives, conducted an inventory of the goods comprising of motorcycle accessories, footwears and apparels bearing the brands of Nike, Adidas, and Gucci, among others.
Under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), infringing goods are prohibited articles and should immediately be seized or confiscated. Further investigation is also underway for other possible violations of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (RA 8293) and the CMTA.
The BOC remains resolute in its duty to strictly enforce Customs laws and to prevent the proliferation of hazardous counterfeit and smuggled goods under the leadership of BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero.
metrosundaily
