MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Wednesday, July 9, that it had seized counterfeit baby powder and body cleanser products valued at approximately PHP 8 million (approximately KRW 180 million) from a business establishment in Pasay City on July 3. This operation is seen as a strong demonstration of the NBI's unwavering commitment to eradicating the distribution of counterfeit goods and protecting intellectual property rights.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago stated that the NBI-National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) and the Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) jointly executed two search warrants on the business establishment. This operation, carried out under suspicion of violating the Philippine Intellectual Property Code (Republic Act 8293), suggests widespread manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit products.

The searches resulted in the discovery and seizure of a total of 9,093 various counterfeit products. The seized counterfeit items were confirmed to bear the trademarks of popular brands such as "Johnson's," "Johnson's Baby," "Aveeno," "Cetaphil," and "Cetaphil Gentle Clear." Johnson's and Aveeno are registered trademarks of Kenvue Inc., while Cetaphil is a registered trademark of Galderma Holdings SA.

This operation began after search warrants were issued based on a complaint filed by Orion Support, Inc., representing Kenvue and Galderma Holdings. This highlights how the damage caused by counterfeit goods extends beyond revenue loss for companies to include brand value degradation and threats to consumer health.

The NBI's recent crackdown, by exposing illegal activities, can be interpreted as a warning about the serious impact of counterfeits on society. Products like counterfeit baby powder and body cleansers, which are directly applied to the human body, can pose fatal risks to consumers' health due to unauthorized chemicals, substandard ingredients, and unsanitary manufacturing environments. Especially when used on infants and young children with sensitive skin, unpredictable side effects such as skin rashes, allergic reactions, and severe dermatitis can occur. The fact that their packaging is similar to genuine products, making visual identification difficult, poses an even greater problem as consumers can be exposed to risks without realizing it.

Economically, counterfeit products also cause severe damage. Genuine manufacturers invest heavily in research and development and quality control, while counterfeiters profit by merely counterfeiting trademarks without incurring such costs. This reduces the sales and profits of legitimate businesses, stifles innovation in the long run, and can lead to job losses. Furthermore, the distribution of counterfeit goods negatively affects national tax revenues, hindering economic growth.

NBI Director Santiago urged the public to refrain from purchasing counterfeit goods to "protect intellectual property owners and promote economic growth." This emphasizes that consumers can weaken the viability of this illegal market by ceasing to purchase counterfeits.

To solve the problem of counterfeit goods, a multifaceted effort is needed, not just increased enforcement. Government authorities should strengthen the capabilities of investigative agencies like the NBI, revise relevant laws, and block the distribution channels of counterfeit goods through international cooperation. Additionally, manufacturers should introduce genuine product verification technologies such as holograms, QR codes, and NFC tags to help consumers easily verify authenticity.

The most crucial role belongs to consumers. Consumers should be vigilant about products sold at excessively low prices or through suspicious distribution channels. It's important to develop a habit of purchasing products from reputable vendors and meticulously checking product packaging, labels, and texture. It is crucial to recognize that purchasing counterfeit goods ultimately harms one's health, revitalizes illegal markets, and ultimately disrupts economic order.

This large-scale NBI operation to seize counterfeit goods demonstrates how seriously the Philippine government is approaching the counterfeit problem. It is hoped that such crackdowns will continue to eradicate the illegal counterfeit market and create an environment where consumers can purchase products with confidence. Everyone's attention and cooperation are urgently needed to stop the distribution of counterfeit goods and establish a healthy market order.

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