P58-M fake motorcycle, car parts destroyed

Some P58 million worth of fake Honda motorcycle and car spare parts earlier seized by operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were destroyed yesterday at a service center of Honda Philippines Inc. in Parañaque City.

More than 232,000 pieces of counterfeit motorcycle and car spare parts bearing Honda logos were crushed by a steamroller during simple ceremonies at the grounds of Honda Philippines Inc. at Km. 17, East Service Road, South Superhighway, Parañaque City.

Inspector Arnold Palomo, of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s Anti-Organized Crime and Business Division, said the successful operations of the police against the proliferation of the fake spare parts can be attributed to the cooperation and initiative of the private companies.

The CIDG assisted Honda Philippines in the conduct of the raids in the various areas in Metro Manila, particularly along Banawe Avenue in Quezon City.

Arnel Doria, a marketing official from Honda, warned Honda motorcycle and car owners against buying parts from illegitimate vendors.

"Let us not sacrifice quality for our road safety," he said.

Doria explained that using counterfeit motorcycle and car spare parts was a great risk since they have a tendency of failing without warning.

Genuine parts also give real value for money because they last longer, he said.

Doria said the PNP-CIDG, Honda and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have banded together in conducting a series of operations from December 2003 to the present.

He noted that the local Honda distributor has lost millions of pesos due to the illegal manufacture and distribution of fake parts.

During the raids on Dec. 11, 2003 and Feb. 12, 2004, authorities raided several warehouses in Metro Manila and Bulacan after complaints were filed by Honda’s lawyers from E.B. Astudillo and Associates.

Doria said that in order to protect the safety of consumers and the market, Honda has undertaken stern and aggressive efforts to combat the importation and proliferation of counterfeit items.