P1.5-M worth of fake toothpaste seized

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently confiscated P1.5 million worth of suspected counterfeit toothpaste in sachets from a store and warehouse in Divisoria.

NBI- National Capital Region Director Ruel Lasala, said they seized 51 cases of fake 10 ml Colgate products from the establishment owned by Vivian Ang, who reportedly owns the Sin Hua Bee and Co.

"No apprehensions were made during the raid, however, we might file charges against Ms. Ang," Lasala said, referring to the case as a clear violation of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

Head Agent Ferdinand Lavin, NBI-NCR executive officer, said that last April 17, they received a letter-complaint from Colgate-Palmolive Philippines, through its lawyer John Erza Villegas, asking the bureau to investigate and prosecute the retailers, importers and distributors of their client for unfair competition. — Evelyn Macairan