Two charged in fake cigarette trade

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Criminal cases have been filed against two suspects allegedly involved in the trade of counterfeit cigarettes.

The 4th Special Operation Unit (SOU) of the PNP Maritime Group said James Chiu Chen, 59, a Chinese national residing in Barangay Magsaysay, La Paz, Iloilo City, and Donnel Jeruta, 31, of Zone 2, Barrio Obrero, Lapuz, Iloilo City, were charged with violating Section 155.1 in relation to Section 170 of Republic Act 8293.

Section 155.1 pertains to the “use in commerce of any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of a registered mark or the same container or a dominant feature thereof in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution, advertising of any goods or services, including other preparatory steps necessary to carry out the sale of any goods or services, in connection with which such use is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive.”

Earlier, police charged Jeruta with violating Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).

The two were arrested in separate police operations on the evening of July 24 for possession of more than P5.5 million worth of fake cigarettes.