Over P18 B fake goods confiscated

Counterfeit goods seized by the government declined by 47 percent from January to September compared to a year ago, with apparel accounting for the bulk of the total haul, according to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

- By LOUELLA DESIDERIO

Data from IPOPHL showed that agencies part of the National Committee on IP Rights (NCIPR) confiscated P18.64 billion worth of counterfeit items in the nine-month period, down from P35.28 billion in the same period last year.

By agency, the Bureau of Customs accounted for the lion's share of the total haul as of end-September as it seized P17.21 billion worth of counterfeit goods.

The National Bureau of Investigation placed second with P980.36 million, followed by the Philippine National Police with P456.72 million.

Acting IPOPHL director general Nathaniel Arevalo told reporters that apparel had the biggest share in the confiscated items.

He said the NCIPR also received reports of counterfeit anti-rabies vaccines being sold in the regions.