P3.5-M worth of fake seasoning products seized

MANILA -- Thousands of fake food seasoning products amounting to more than P3.5 million were confiscated by authorities in three separate raids in Metro Manila this week.

Police Director Samuel Pagdilao, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said his operatives seized 324,933 pieces of fake Maggie seasoning products of Nestle Philippines and 181,459 pieces of Knorr seasoning products of Uniliver Philippines with an estimated value amounting to P3,585,310.

Police Superintendent Benjamin Acorda Jr. of the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crime Division said the fake goods were obtained last October 22 and 23 when CIDG operatives raided a warehouse in Tondo, Manila; the Balintawak Public Market in Quezon City, and the Vista Verde North Subdivision in Caloocan City.

The seized items were brought to a third party bonded warehouse in Paranaque City for temporary safekeeping.

Acorda said the owners of the raided establishments will be charged with violation of Republic Act 8293 or the Anti-Unfair Competition Law.

He added that the CIDG will also conduct more operations against the importers and distributors of such fake goods in time for the coming Christmas season. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)