By MARTIN SADONGDONG
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) led on Friday the destruction of counterfeit and pirated goods worth P80,200,110 in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
PNP officer-in-charge (OIC) Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) Director-General Teodoro Pascua witnessed the ceremonial destruction of fake goods that were seized by various government agencies.
According to the PNP, the destroyed products include P58,063,600 worth of high value watches, lotions, branded bags, and facial cleanser; P7 million worth of DVDs; P1.1 million worth of pharmaceutical products; P216,000 worth of food seasoning; and P280,000 worth of Tailin cutoff wheel.
Authorities also destroyed P4,246,000 worth of software installers (USB); P800,000 worth of soaps; and US$164,750 or P8,494,510 worth of Louis Vuitton bags, wallets and luggage.
Gamboa lauded the NCIPR in its efforts in addressing the problems on counterfeit products which continue to flood the market due to its low price and, in turn, hurt the legitimate businesses.
Meanwhile, Pascua lamented how counterfeiters and pirates have aggressively utilized technology, digital platforms and online intermediaries to sell fake products and flourish its enterprises.
“The Internet has created enormous opportunities for companies to promote and market their brands to consumers,” Pascua said.
“However, its global reach, openness, and largely unregulated character have also created avenue for the trade and distribution of fake products,” the official added.
From January to July this year, the NCIPR said it has prevented counterfeit goods, with a running approximate total value of P13.73 billion, from getting into the hands of consumers.
According to a partially validated data which covers P1.83 billion — a fifth of the total inventory for seven months, majority of the fake items were cigarettes and alcohol products.
The segment took up 25 percent or P456.80 million of the validated inventories.
Friday’s ceremony marked the first time that the NCIPR held two ceremonial destructions in a year.
Last April 12, the PNP and NCIPR also destroyed P65 million worth of fake goods at the national police headquarters.
The NCIPR is an interagency body that formulates and implements plans and policies, as well as strengthens the protection and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the country.
It is composed of 12 member-agencies led by the Department of Trade and Industry.
