Several storage units in the warehouses of 999 and 168 malls in Divisoria, Manila were shut down for storing various counterfeit items with an estimated worth of more or less P7 billion.

Officials from the Bureau of Customs (BoC), Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation showcased the confiscated items in a briefing held at the storage area of the 168 Mall.

A BoC official disclosed that 192 storage units have been closed in 168 Mall, while an estimated 500 storage units have been closed in 999 Mall.

Several fake luxury bags, shoes, cosmetic items, perfumes and even food and health supplements were presented by authorities.

Upon initial inspection, the counterfeit items appeared remarkably similar to the original products, making it difficult to distinguish between the two.

BoC-Intellectual Property Rights Division officer-in-charge Paul Pacunayen stressed the serious safety and security risks posed by counterfeit items, particularly counterfeit food supplements and cosmetic products.

He vowed to cooperate with the IPOPHL to dismantle the distribution networks of counterfeit products.

“The Bureau of Customs remains steadfast in its commitment to curbing the illegal entry of illicit goods and counterfeit items,” Pacunayen said.

When asked about the source of the counterfeit items, Rowel Barba, Director General of IPOPHL, stated that these products are likely manufactured in countries like China and Bangladesh.