The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced an intensified intelligence and enforcement campaign aimed at dismantling network syndicates and e-commerce vendors offering fake, unverified products that jeopardize public safety.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that law enforcement will join forces with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and partner regulators to investigate suspects and build formal criminal complaints.
“The PNP backs efforts to strengthen the crackdown against counterfeit goods online. We will continue to coordinate with our partner agencies, particularly IPOPHL and the DTI, to identify those behind the illegal trade and ensure that appropriate charges are filed,” Nartatez said in a statement Thursday.
This expanded initiative follows public appeals from consumer rights coalition Malayang Konsyumer, which requested a continuous, aggressive push to rid digital marketplaces of bootleg inventory.
The consumer organization warned that counterfeit pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and skin treatments could harbor dangerous chemical additives. They also pointed out that bootleg apparel, shoes, children’s toys, and fragrances pose hidden toxicity hazards.
Additionally, the group highlighted that uncertified electrical appliances threaten consumer safety via fire and electrocution hazards, while bootleg sealants, hardware supplies, and structural goods present severe health and engineering liabilities.
”We will not allow online platforms to become a safe haven for counterfeiters,” Nartatez said.
The police chief noted that the directive aligns with orders from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to safeguard consumers and legitimate business ecosystems while cracking down on illicit commerce.
This enhanced online strategy expands on the PNP’s existing economic crime and anti-contraband measures.
During the first half of the year, police forces executed 8,986 anti-smuggling operations, detaining 2,560 individuals and seizing roughly ₱8.6 billion in illegal tobacco products and processing gear.
Operations conducted through July yielded an additional ₱628 million in confiscated contraband, knockoffs, and prohibited merchandise.