Business Mirror 14th November 2008
As Christmas nears, beware fake, unsafe toys
As Yuletide approaches, counterfeit toys are expected to flood the local markets, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Thursday.
Regional Director Elfren Meneses, chief of the NBI’s Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD), said the bureau is monitoring the influx of fake toys, particularly in Binondo, Manila.
Meneses said NBI operatives seized 422 pieces of counterfeit DC Comics toys during simultaneous raids in Binondo.
Raided were Lift High General Merchandise and/or Shaketown Gen. Mdse. located at Stalls 1-34C and 1-36C ground floor, Meisic Mall, Reina Regente corner Felipe streets, Binondo, Manila; Merlin Gen. Mdse. and/or MJY Toysstall 240, second floor, New Divisoria Shopping Center, formerly Bodega Sales Center, Sta. Elena corner Tabora streets, Binondo, Manila.
Also raided was the Lift High General Merchandise and/or MJY Toys and/or Merlin Gen. Mdse. and/or Shaketown Gen. Mdse. located at ground floor, 1046-1 B. Alvarado Extension, Binondo, Manila.
Investigation by the NBI-IPRD showed that DC Comics sought assistance from the NBI following the reported proliferation of counterfeit DC Comics toys.
Armed with search warrants issued by Judge Antonio Eugenio Jr. of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 24, the NBI teams conducted simultaneous raids on Tuesday at 2 p.m. TJ Agcaoili
The raids resulted in the confiscation of 422 pieces of counterfeit DC Comics Toys worth P42,200.
The owners of the raided establishments face charges of violation of RA 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the City Government of Manila ordered the Manila Police to increase visibility in malls and open shopping areas.
Acting Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said this is due to the anticipated increase in the number of people flocking to these places to shop.
“The mere presence of uniformed cops in shopping places will certainly deter criminal elements from carrying out their activities,” he said in a statement.