The Bureau of Customs (BOC) was recently given recognition by the Nike Asia Pacific Brand Protection Team for its exceptional efforts in apprehending and seizing P1.56 billion worth of counterfeit Nike footwear.

The awards were presented to Customs Commissioner, Bienvenido Rubio, Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner, Juvymax Uy, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director, Verne Enciso, and Intellectual Property Rights Division Chief, Paul Oliver Pacunayen.

During the ceremony, Commissioner Rubio stressed that: “We will continue to strengthen our efforts in combating nefarious counterfeiting activities and ensure the enforcement of intellectual property rights.”

On the other hand, Depcom Uy manifested: “We are thankful to Nike for the recognition, but our job is far from done. While this award principally gives credit to the hardworking men and women of the bureau, it similarly serve as added motivation that further ignites the Bureau to go after these manufacturers of counterfeit goods”.

For his part, Director Enciso emphasized that the commendation should serve as a rallying call for all government agencies to work together. “We wouldn’t be here today without the efforts and commitment of our partner agencies. We understand what is at stake here, that some groups are turning the Philippines into a haven of counterfeit goods. We will stand in their way and put all measures to stop their modus,” he said.

This commendation highlights the BOC’s unwavering commitment in combatting intellectual property rights infringement and protecting the integrity of globally recognized brands.#