NBI raid nets P8.4 M fake Lacoste shoes

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently seized P8.4 million worth of alleged imitations of branded shoes from two establishments and their branches reportedly owned by Filipino-Chinese businessmen in Davao City.

Regional Director Edward Villarta, of the NBI-National Capital Region (NCR), said they raided three branches of the Fits Right Shoe Center reportedly owned by Nathaniel Tan, and the Siotzty Shoes Shop of Charles Te, all located in Davao City.

The operation was done in coordination with the bureau’s Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office (SEMRO).

Villarta said they acted on a complaint filed by Lacoste S.A. through lawyer Michael Untalan of the Bengzon Negre Untalan Law Office. They immediately conducted test buy and surveillance operations.

After confirming the complaint, they secured search warrants from Executive Judge Reynaldo Ros of the Manila City Regional Trial Court (MCRTC) Branch 33.

The NBI agents confiscated 1,409 pairs of reportedly fake Lacoste shoes. The items were turned over to Special Investigator Manuel Dulay of SEMRO for temporary custody and safekeeping. They believe the shoes were valued at P8.4 million.

The NBI is preparing to charge the owners of the four establishments with violating provisions of Republic Act 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

Evelyn Macairan, The Philippine Star