NBI seizes P89-M worth of fake Lacoste products in Binondo mall raid

MANILA, Philippines - Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized P89 million worth of fake Lacoste products during Tuesday's raid at a mall in Manila's Binondo district, the bureau reported on Wednesday. Raided were eight stalls located at the 168 Mall on Soler St. in Binondo which yielded 22,345 pieces of fake Lacoste blouses and shirts. The charges stemmed from the complaint of lawyer Michael Untalan of Bengzon Negre Untalan Law office, a firm contacted by Lacoste S.A. to conduct investigation and prosecute any cause of action, including civil and criminal charges. In a post operation report filed by Head Agent Sixto Comia, chief of the Intelligence Special Operations Division (ISOD), the NBI agents put the establishments under surveillance last September 22 and conducted test buys to confirm the allegation. Armed with search warrants issued by Judge Antonio Eugenio, of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC), the NBI simultaneously conducted several investigative activities and seized the products. Comia said the Lacoste products are presently kept and stored at a private bonded warehouse maintained by the requesting party. The owner of the stalls identified as Peter Ong, of Unit 12S -15, Juan Luna Plaza, is now facing charges for the violation of Section 168.3 (a), in relation to Section 170, of Republic Act (RA) 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. - GMANews.TV