In a continuing effort to combat illegal trade and safeguard Filipino consumers, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), in close collaboration with global fashion brand Guess, is significantly ramping up its campaign against counterfeit goods and intellectual property rights (IPR) violations.
On May 23, 2025, the BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service – Intellectual Property Rights Division (CIIS-IPRD), accompanied by Atty. Kristian Nico Acosta, Legal Head of Guess Group in the Philippines, revisited several warehouses within a commercial complex in Divisoria, Manila. This follow-up operation comes after the BOC previously uncovered and seized over 1.727 million pieces of counterfeit products, valued at an estimated P15.8 billion, from the same location. The seized items included a wide array of fake bags, clothes, and accessories bearing unauthorized trademarks of renowned global brands such as Guess, Michael Kors, Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Tory Burch.
Representatives from Guess Group officially confirmed that a substantial portion of the confiscated merchandise were unauthorized reproductions of their brand.
Atty. Acosta lauded the BOC for its robust leadership and heightened enforcement efforts. “I’ve been involved in enforcement, particularly with the Bureau of Customs, for over a decade, and under Commissioner Rubio’s leadership, we’ve witnessed dynamic developments,” Acosta stated. He highlighted the BOC’s innovative use of technology in tracking counterfeiters, enhanced collaboration with brand owners, and a streamlined process for prosecuting those involved in the illegal import and distribution of fake goods.
Acosta also issued a strong warning to the public regarding the significant health, safety, and economic risks posed by counterfeit products. He urged consumers to refrain from purchasing such items, emphasizing that they undermine legitimate businesses and distort fair market competition. He further revealed that the target of the recent operation had been on Guess’s internal watchlist for an extended period and had also been flagged by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. Investigations by Guess’s in-house team confirmed that these counterfeiters were distributing fake products through both physical stores and online platforms, jeopardizing consumers and brand reputation alike.
He particularly commended Deputy Commissioner Juvymax R. Uy for Intelligence Group, whose leadership has been instrumental in implementing streamlined procedures, advanced investigative technologies, and full transparency in operations, establishing BOC’s IPRD as a model agency for effective, cross-border IP enforcement. “The BOC-IPRD’s efficient, tech-driven processes and collaborative spirit with brand owners like Guess demonstrate how government and the private sector can work hand-in-hand to protect consumers and promote fair competition,” Acosta emphasized.
Acosta also acknowledged the BOC’s unwavering commitment to the E-Commerce Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024. This MoU mandates proactive enforcement, not only in removing infringing online posts but also in ensuring that those responsible are held legally accountable.
Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio expressed his appreciation for the commendation and reiterated the BOC’s firm commitment to protecting intellectual property and ensuring consumer safety. “We are serious about our mission to keep counterfeit goods out of the country. This is about protecting the public, supporting legitimate businesses, and ensuring a level playing field in the market,” Commissioner Rubio affirmed.
The Bureau of Customs, through its IPRD, pledges to continue its close collaboration with brand owners, e-commerce platforms, and enforcement partners to vigorously combat counterfeiting and uphold consumer protection nationwide.
