Divisoria raid nets fake scouting gear

Some P600,000 worth of fake items bearing the logo of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) were seized by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in a raid conducted in Divisoria, Manila over the weekend.

Raided by agents of the NBI’s Intellectual Property Rights Division was Siso’s Jr. General Merchandise, located at Pasilio B5 and 7, Recto Shopping Center, 521 C.M. Recto Avenue, Divisoria, owned by a certain Anita Col-Long.

Prior to the raid, the NBI had received a complaint from Carlos Escudero, secretary general of the BSP. In his complaint, Escudero asked the NBI to look into the unauthorized production, distribution, and sale of uniforms, items and paraphernalia illegally bearing the logo and name of the BSP.

Acting on the complaint, the NBI then conducted a series of test buys and confirmed that the said store was indeed involved in the sale of items bearing the unauthorized BSP logos and name.

Agents then secured a search warrant from Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Antonio Eugenio and conducted the raid. Seized during the raid were belt buckles, shirts, caps and neckerchiefs, all bearing the BSP logo.

The items were all certified as fakes by Jose Patrick de Leon, business development manager of the National Scout Shop.

According to the NBI, charges for violation of Republic Act 7278 that regulates the sale and distribution of BSP items and paraphernalia, are now being readied against the owner of the raided store before the Department of Justice. – Mike Frialde