PLARIDEL, Bulacan — Eight suspects were arrested after the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) raided a warehouse in Barangay Parulan here and seized an estimated P6.1 million worth of alleged counterfeit slimming coffee products, along with raw materials and manufacturing equipment.
The operation was conducted on Tuesday afternoon (October 6), by the CIDG Northern District Field Unit, with representatives of the trademark owner and in coordination with the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, pursuant to a search warrant for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
In a report submitted to the CIDG Director, P/ Major Gen. Robert AA Morico II, it stated that the arrested eight suspects are comprised of a male Chinese national, five Pinoy and two Pinay – all employees of the facility, they were caught while in possession and control of the allegedly trademark infringed slimming coffee, and allegedly producing and manufacturing the slimming coffee, without the authorization of the trademark owner.
The CIDG Director emphasized that the primary purpose of Republic Act No. 8293, also known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, is to protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists, and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly when it is beneficial to the people.
He further stressed that it is the policy of the State to strengthen the enforcement of intellectual property laws and related regulations throughout the Philippines.
Because trademark- infringing or counterfeit food products like slimming coffee may bypassed strict evaluation by regulatory bodies, these might be laced with highly toxic or banned chemical substances to force rapid weight loss- these can pose a severe, multi-faceted threat to public health and consumer safety.
The CIDG leadership lauds P/Col. John K. Guiagui, the Regional Chief of CIDG National Capital Region Field Unit, and the CIDG Northern District Field Unit led by P/Lt. Col. Benedick S. Poblete, for busting the alleged counterfeit slimming coffee, and stopping its manufacturing. This underscores the CIDG’s commitment in enforcing all the laws, and arresting all violators- across the country. (UnliNews Online)
Source: CIDG PIO
