P20-M worth of fake copper masks seized in Laguna

Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation — National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) on Thursday seized over P20 million worth of fake copper masks in Biñan, Laguna.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras,” stacks of boxes containing fake copper masks were found by the NBI within an establishment in the city.

“This copper mask, they are fake, okay? We are going to seize this. We have a court order, okay?” the NBI personnel told the Chinese national in the establishment.

Authorities also arrested a Chinese national and four of his employees, who all  declined to comment.

Aside from the face masks, the NBI-NCR also retrieved packaged face filters, which were also fake.

Meanwhile, the NBI also seized fake copper masks from establishments in Binondo and Baclaran.

“Alam na namin po na hindi na po puwedeng ibenta kaya lang, syempre trabaho lang po ito,”  Aida Nieva, a vendor, said.

NBI-NCR Regional Director Atty Cesar Bacani said the manufacturer of the face mask filed a complaint at the agency.

“Nagreklamo sa atin ‘yung kumpanya nung Coppermask, represented by their lawyers na meron nga daw naglipana na mga peke o hindi awtorisado na ginagaya ‘yung kanilang produkto,” Bacani said.

“Itong ating complainant ng Coppermask Philippines, sila ‘yung authorized distributor or may legal authority… para sila lang ang magkaroon ng ganitong negosyo sa Pilipinas,” he added.

The Copper Mask Philippines also warned the public that using fake face masks is dangerous.

“Hindi nila makukuha ‘yung proteksyon na ino-offer nung produkto ng Coppermask. Una, hindi natin alam kung ano ‘yung mga materyales na ginamit, kung dumaan ba to sa quality control,” Coppermask Philippines legal counsel Atty. Jobz Lazo said.

“Kasi kung bumili ka ng mga peke, una sa lahat nako-kompromiso ‘yung kalusugan mo,” he added.

Authorities got hold of more than 60,000 pieces of fake copper masks in the operations.

Individuals caught selling counterfeit copper masks will face charges for copyright infringement and unfair competition.

“Kaya nga natin ni-raid ito ay para maprotektahan ang ating citizenry kasi kung ito ay peke o substandard at hindi original, iisipin ng ating mga kababayan na ligtas sila, ‘yun pala hindi. Tiwala sila na maglakad-lakad diyan pero hindi naman pala,” Bacani said.

“Kaya dapat dito, after proper disposition ay sirain talaga ito para hindi na magamit ng mga kababayan natin,” he added.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News