‘Fake Viagra’ Store owner to answer in court

CEBU, Philippines -  Charges were filed in court yesterday against the Chinese national who was arrested Tuesday for allegedly selling fake Viagra.

Ali Tang alias Alibaba, owner of Golden Ling Merchandising, is facing charges for violation of Section 155 (trademark infringement) and 168 (unfair competition) in relation to Section 170 of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

The prosecutor’s office elevated the charges in court after Tang waived his right to a preliminary investigation, said Atty. Renan Oliva, the NBI agent in charge of the case. Tang chose to answer the charges in court instead of filing a counter-affidavit at the prosecutor’s level.

Oliva said Tang made this manifestation during the inquest proceedings.

Assistant City Prosecutor Noel Cellona recommended P20,000 for Tang’s temporary liberty.

In an interview, NBI Regional Director Antonio Pagatpat said Tang’s arrest stemmed from a complaint filed before their office by Pfizer consultant Maximo Ocampo.

Ocampo alleged that the packaging and presentation of their product, Viagra, have been counterfeited and that the product was being sold at Tang’s store.

Pagatpat said the company is concerned of the health and safety of those who buy the counterfeit product. He claimed that the seized evidence, estimated to cost P1.9 million, did not pass through the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), a regulatory agency.

Pagatpat said further that Tang had admitted selling the counterfeit Viagra and said that it came from Zamboanga. It is possible that the product might have come from China, but Pagatpat said this is yet to be verified.

Meanwhile, Oliva said NBI conducted surveillance on Tang’s store along Colon Street and even bought a sample of the product on August 17, 2013. The sample was found to be counterfeit.

On September 23, 2013, Regional Trial Court Judge Ramon Daomilas issued the search warrant for the operation.

The NBI seized 383 boxes of  fake Viagra, with each box containing four tablets.

Tang is currently detained at the NBI stockade. – (FREEMAN)