MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has confiscated more than P16 million worth of counterfeit phone products in a series of operations in Manila and Rizal, as part of its intensified campaign against trademark infringement.

In a progress report, the NBI-Intellectual Property Rights Division (NBI-IPRD) said agents executed multiple search warrants on July 9 and 10 against four establishments in Manila and eight stores in Rizal. The raids yielded a total of 16,213 fake products bearing the trademark of a popular mobile phone brand, with an estimated value of P16,712,800.

The operations were carried out peacefully in the presence of the respondents’ representatives, building administrators, and barangay officials.

The crackdown was conducted for alleged violation of Section 155 (Trademark Infringement) in relation to Section 170 of Republic Act No. 8293 or the “Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.”

NBI Director Medardo de Lemos commended the IPRD team for the successful enforcement of the warrants and reminded the public not to patronize counterfeit products.

“[We aim to] protect intellectual property rights owners and enhance our economic growth,” the agency said.