NBI agents raid Pasay stores

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) scored another major victory in the ongoing fight against intellectual property and copyright infringement when it conducted simultaneous raids on commercial establishments in Pasay City.

Armed with two search warrants issued by Manila RTC Branch 24 Judge Antonio Eugenio, NBI agents, led by Ramon Yap and Dominador Santiago from the NBI’s Intellectual Property Rights Office, together with representatives from the Sheriff’s Office of Manila, swooped down on the two establishments. Seized were millions of pesos worth of fake Hanes T-shirts and other fake packaging paraphernalia of the company like plastic labels, tags, packing tape, packaging plastic, and numerous sewing and cutting equipment.

During the raid of a manufacturing plant located at 150 San Juan street, an estimated 9,000 pieces of fake Hanes T-shirts were confiscated by NBI agents as well as 21 units of Toyota and Juki sewing machines and textile-cutting equipment. In the second raid, located at 133 Gotamco street, some 5,000 fake Hanes T-shirts and various packaging materials were seized. The business is allegedly run by BGB Development Corp., owned by a certain Wendy Go.

According to NBI agents, the fake Hanes made in the San Juan plant are then transferred and stored in the Gotamco establishment and mixed with other legitimate products manufactured by BGB to avoid suspicion that it is being used as a storage area for counterfeit Hanes products. The fake products are then stored in separate remote areas inside the compound, away from prying eyes.

The owners of the two establishments will be charged with trademark infringement and unfair competition, which carries with it a penalty of two-five years imprisonment, plus a fine of P50,000 to P200,000.