AUTHORITIES SEIZED OVER P18B WORTH OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS

The government confiscated P18.64 billion worth of counterfeit goods from January to September, down 47 percent from P35.28 billion during the same period last year, with apparel making up the largest share, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) reported.

The Bureau of Customs led enforcement efforts, seizing P17.21 billion in fake items, followed by the NBI at P980.36 million and the PNP at P456.72 million.

Acting IPOPHL Director General Nathaniel Arevalo noted reports of counterfeit anti-rabies vaccines and said long-term solutions, including possible amendments to procurement laws, are being considered.

Arevalo also highlighted the collaboration with Greenhills Shopping Center, aiming to eliminate counterfeit sales by 2027, with an NCIPR office set to open there next year.

With the holiday season approaching, IPOPHL expressed hope that counterfeit activity would not spike and that Greenhills could be removed from the U.S. Notorious Markets list.

Source: PhilNews24 | November 28, 2025