Manila: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized close to PHP16 billion worth of counterfeit items during the first four months of the year. In a statement on Tuesday, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said that as of April, the bureau has seized PHP15.8 billion worth of counterfeit goods in coordination with brand representatives and partner enforcement agencies.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rubio emphasized the importance of protecting intellectual property rights, stating that it remains central to the BOC's objective of cultivating a fair, secure, and dynamic trade environment. Rubio also pledged to enhance the BOC's efforts in the coming years to ensure that intellectual property rights protection is a key component of the country's economic and trade policy development plan.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines acknowledged the BOC's efforts in enforcing intellectual property rights in late April. The BOC received a citation for achieving the highest number of seizures in the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) in 2024 during the Gawad Yamang Isip Awards 2025, held on April 25.

In 2024, the BOC recorded PHP34.698 billion in seizures, making it the leading contributor to the overall confiscation of IPR-infringing goods. This amount represented 85 percent of the total PHP40.99 billion seized by NCIPR. Rubio noted that the recognition aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s vision to foster an infringement-free market that is resilient, growth-oriented, and capable of inspiring greater investment and consumer trust.