MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has seized fake face masks being sold in a mall in Divisoria in Manila.
The NBI Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) served a search warrant on nine stalls following a complaint by the distributor of a face mask made and imported from South Korea.
“‘Our customer service representative received several complaints from our distributors that there were fake Coppermasks being sold in 168 Shopping Mall,” Atty. Jose Mari Cas, Coppermask’s lawyer, said.
The NBI said it conducted a test buy a few weeks ago which confirmed the complaint.
“We conducted a test buy two weeks ago. When the complainant confirmed it was fake, we applied the search warrant,” John Ignacio of the NBI Intellectual Property Rights Division said.
Meanwhile, the sellers admitted that the face masks they were selling were fake.
“We know it was fake,” Samuel Calumba said.
The customer service relations of the JC Premier International, the distributor of Coppermask in the country, said the fake masks are thinner and do not contain antimicrobial treatment.
“The original consists of copper so we would know it’s different because of the look. You can see and touch the difference. It’s practically useless (the fake one) so I advised buyers, don’t buy fake Coppermasks,” Laarni Nacion said.
Nacion said the original Coppermask is being sold at P380, while the fake ones were being sold for P180.The owner of the stalls will face charges for violation of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. (AI/MTVN)
