More fake cigarette vendors nabbed

AUTHORITIES have arrested two more vendors in separate operations for selling fake cigarettes in violation of Republic Act No. 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code.

Operatives of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested store owner Kevin Co Ong of King Co Store on Speaker Perez St. in Brgy. Sta. Teresita, Quezon City for selling fake Mighty brand cigarettes.

CIDG agents Ringo C. Medalla and Crisanto P. Carag caught Ong in possession of fake Mighty Menthol soft pack and Mighty Full Flavor King Size variants through the complaint of a Mighty Corp. representative.

The warrant for Ong’s arrest was issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 93 Judge Arthur O. Malabaguio.

In Talavera, Nueva Ecija, NBI-Cabanatuan District Office (Cabdo) agents nabbed Jeffrey de Guzman Castro, alias Puroy de Guzman, of Esguerra Village, Brgy. Esguerra for possession of large quantities of fake Mighty Full Flavor, Mighty Menthol 100s, Marvels Filter Kings and Marvels Menthol 100s.

Like Ong, Castro was also charged with violation of section 155 in relation to section 170 of Republic Act No. 8293 under a warrant issued by Cabanatuan City RTC Branch 26 Judge Johnmuel Romano Mendoza.

Aside from the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, violators may also be held liable for violating Republic Act No. 7394, or the Consumer Protection Act, and the National Internal Revenue Code, whose penalties range from one year to 12 years imprisonment and fines of up to P200,000, or both.

CIDG Chief Police Director Victor Deona said the PNP remained vigilant against counterfeiters and warned individuals and business establishments against the sale and distribution of fake cigarettes.

“These fake products hurt the economy because they are not tax-paid. This is why they are being sold very cheap. The CIDG is serious in its crackdown on these fake products. Retailers and vendors are warned not to sell or distribute these contraband because we are ready to charge them and throw them in jail,” Deona said.

Earlier, CIDG agents arrested a woman at the Sta. Rita Public Market in Guiguinto, Bulacan for selling fake Mighty cigarettes.