Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines — A Chinese businessman was arrested in Cagayan de Oro City after selling counterfeit “Magic Sarap” seasoning products worth nearly ₱896,000.
The operation was conducted by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), together with local police units and representatives from Nestlé Philippines on October 5 in Barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City.
PNP-CIDG said they confiscated more than 160 boxes of the counterfeit and trademark-infringing products from the suspect.
“In a report submitted to CIDG Director, PMGEN Robert AA Morico II, it stated that the arrested male suspect is a Chinese national, businessman, the store owner—was caught while selling and trading the alleged counterfeit food seasoning products,” CIDG said in a Facebook post, October 7, 2026.
The operation was carried out for violations of Republic Act No. 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
The CIDG also warned that counterfeit food products may bypass health and safety evaluations and could pose risks to consumers.
“The CIDG assures the public that it remains steadfast in enforcing all the laws to protect all consumers from buying counterfeit and trademark infringing products and safeguard legitimate trademark owners. The Group urges the public to report all suspicious and illicit consumer products in their areas, and the CIDG will do the rest,” it said.