The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines said Monday it led the destruction of P2.8 billion worth of counterfeit products at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
IPOPhl deputy director Allan Gepty said the destruction of the items indicated that the government continued to fight piracy in all its forms and circumstances.
“Fighting counterfeiting and piracy is fighting corruption and criminality,” Gepty said.
He said most organized crimes particularly those involved in drugs were also involved in this illegal activity.
“If there is a proliferation of counterfeit products and pirated items expect that many local businesses will suffer and the revenues of the government will be affected,” Gepty said.
The agency expects that the intensified campaign against counterfeiting and piracy would bring to the public the message that the unsafe and substandard products did not only pose danger to health and safety but also adversely affected the economy.
IPOPhl director general Josephine Santiago cited the efforts made by members of the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights for their dedication and hard work in the drive to eradicate counterfeiting and piracy in the country.
“The delisting of the Philippines from the United States Trade Representative Special 301 Watch List for three years now is not only IPOPhl’s accomplishment but also a product of the concerted efforts of the NCIPR members, the business sector, brand owners and the government as a whole,” said Santiago.
The combined enforcement operations conducted by the law enforcement agencies under the NCIPR resulted in the confiscation of P2.81 billion worth of counterfeit items.
