The Daily Tribune 13th June 2006

NBI seizes P3.9-M in Quiapo 'fake' calculators raid

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized at least P3.9
million worth of fake "Casio" brand calculators following a raid conducted
in Manila's busy Quiapo district over the weekend.

The NBI operatives yesterday said Quiapo and Sta. Cruz districts had
gained notoriety in recent years for the sale of pirated discs and fake
electronics products, most of them coming from China and Malaysia.

Despite repeated raids by authorities, vendors continue to make a killing
selling fake branded electronic items in Manila's downtown area.

But NBI Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) chief Jose Justo Yap
said his agents seized some "Casio" calculators following raids on the outlets
and stockrooms owned by Bona Tan, Jenny Tan and Genaro Armonio.

Raided were the retail outlet and stockroom of G. B. Armonio Enterprises
located at Stall S-55, second floor, Manila City Plaza, Carriedo Street; and
Unit D, second floor, CGM Building, 524 Evangelista St., both in Quiapo,
Manila.

Prior to the raids, the NBI placed the establishments under surveillance
operations and conducted test buys to confirm the evidence gathered
through market research firm Orion Support Inc. (OSI).

The IPRD chief said the OSI had forwarded its findings to the NBI after
receiving information from Casio's lawyers that the suspects were selling
fake Casio calculators.

Yap said they are readying charges of trademark infringement against the
owners of the raided establishments.

Jun P. Yap

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