NBI seizes P2.2M-worth of fake calculators in raids

Government agents seized some P2.2 million worth of fake “Casio" calculators following a series of raids in Manila’s Quiapo and Sta. Cruz districts. Raided by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) were three retail outlets and one stockroom of Rampola General Merchandise and S.S. Ballarta Enterprise. Now facing charges are the stores’ owners, whom the NBI identified as Willy Tan, Vanessa Natano Rampola, and Sophia Suay Ballarta. The three retail outlets were located at Stalls A-22 and 23 of the ground floor, and Stalls B96-97 and Stall 99 of the second floor at the Plaza Miranda Shopping Mall along Carriedo St., Quiapo. On the other hand, the stockroom was located at Room 400, fourth floor of the Capitan Luis Gonzaga Building at 414 Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila. Seized from the raided establishments were 2,457 counterfeit “Casio" calculators. Initial investigation showed the NBI Intellectual Property Rights Division placed the establishments under surveillance after receiving information from market-research firm Orion Support Inc. After confirming the activities, the NBI obtained warrants from the Manila trial court and raided the stockrooms and outlets. Charges of trademark infringement are being prepared against the owners of the raided establishments.-GMANEWS.TV