THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Northern Mindanao seized some 687 reams of fake cigarettes Tuesday, December 13, in two establishments in San Fernando town and Valencia City, Bukidnon.
Armed with search and seizure warrants penned by Judge Isobel Barroso, RTC, Branch 8 of the 10th Judicial Region, Malaybalay City, agents of NBi-Northern Mindanao swooped down on Mulleon Store in Poblacion, San Fernando town and at Chims Minimart in Valencia City.
NBI-Northern Mindanao Special Investigator Gerardo Tamayo said the confiscated items were counterfeit Marvel cigarettes, the proprietary right of which is owned by Mighty Corporation.
Thirteen boxes of fake marvel cigarettes were seized from Mulleon Store, owned by Ricardo Rabago Jr., while 37 reams of fake Marvel were taken from Chims Minimart owned by a certain Christian Uy.
Forty-six reams of suspected fake Mighty cigarettes were also confiscated from Chims Minimart.
Rabago said he had no idea the purchased cigarettes were fake even after two suppliers offered the products at a cheaper price.
He said he bought the cigarettes at P12,000 per box, which contains 50 reams, compared to the original price of P18,000 per box.
"Mas maayo nga makuha ni kay peke man diay (It's better to confiscate these because they're fake). We will cooperate with NBI," Rabago said.
"Gidoble raba nako akong palit kay holiday na. Alkansi gyud ko ani (I bought twice the number because it's the holidays. I'm at a loss)," Rabago added.
Tamayo said the NBI operatives had conducted several test-buys and verification activities to ensure the items were fake so as to obtain a search warrant from the court.
Tamayo said the seizures constitute a big blow against the proliferation of counterfeit Marvel cigarettes in Bukidnon but said the investigation efforts to determine the source of the fake cigarettes will continue.
He said the NBI already has some names of supposed suppliers of the fake cigarettes.
Tamayo declined to name the suspects.
"Dili sa nato mabutyag ang mga pangalan but padayon atong investigation (We can't name the suspects yet but the investigation is ongoing)," Tamayo said.
A representative of Mighty Corporation said the campaign and operations against the proliferation of fake Marvel and Mighty cigarettes are ongoing not only in Northern Mindanao but also in other parts of the nation.
The corporate representative, who requested anonymity, also warned smokers that patronizing fake cigarettes poses a greater danger to health than smoking genuine products.
"Mas hazardous sa health ang fake (The fake ones are more hazardous for the health). We are glad na positive ang operation since the drive against counterfeit cigarettes continues," the anonymous Mighty Corporation representative said.
He said the company is also mulling pressing charges against store owners who purchase fake products from illegal suppliers.
The NBI-Malaybalay office has taken temporary custody of Rabago while Uy will be made to appear before the NBI Wednesday, December 14.
The store owners will likely be charged with trademark infringement and for violating Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.