The Bureau of Customs (BOC) destroyed yesterday some P50 million worth of fake footwear products earlier seized in an anti-smuggling drive.

The smuggled items from China, consisting of 150,000 pairs of shoes and slippers, were shredded at the Port of Manila.

The knockoffs of popular brands such as Nike, Adidas, Converse, Skechers, Northface, Leaveland, Merelle, Lacoste, Vans, Havaianas and Ipanema were confiscated from Warehouse 4 in Olivarez Compound, Parañaque City.

Customs Commissioner John Sevilla said the owner of the goods failed to produce proof of payment of taxes, prompting them to padlock the warehouse.

“We will not allow the Philippines to be a dumping ground for counterfeit goods. The BOC will ensure that manufacturers and distributors of genuine brands are protected,” Sevilla said.

He appealed to the public not to patronize fake products.

Sevilla said the bureau’s Run-After-The-Smugglers or RATS continues to build up cases against importers and brokers involved in smuggling of imitation products. – Edu Punay