THE Philippine National Police (PNP) called on consumers to be cautious when buying rice that may be repacked into fake branded sacks, saying the scheme could mislead buyers about the staple’s quality and source.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. issued the reminder on Friday following the arrest of a Chinese national and his Filipina employee during a search warrant operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Bocaue, Bulacan on Sept. 21, where authorities seized around 80,800 allegedly counterfeit rice sacks worth about P800,000.
“This operation highlights not only a violation of intellectual property laws but also a potential threat to consumers. Rice is a staple food, and any scheme that misleads the public about the quality or source of rice must be addressed decisively,” Nartatez said in a statement.
According to the PNP chief, the sacks were allegedly copied from legitimate brands and were apparently intended to be filled with rice before being sold to consumers.
He said that the counterfeit sacks could make lower-cost rice appear as premium or branded varieties, allowing repackers to sell them at higher prices.
Nartatez said he directed the CIDG and other concerned police units to intensify efforts against similar activities in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through the guidance of DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to strengthen consumer protection measures, uphold the rule of law, and intensify the campaign against illegal activities that undermine public welfare and legitimate businesses.
Meanwhile, the top cop urged consumers to exercise caution when buying rice and to report suspicious sellers or repacking activities.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and purchase products only from legitimate and reputable sources. The PNP will continue its efforts against counterfeiters and other unscrupulous individuals who deceive consumers and undermine public trust,” he said.
