Five individuals were arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Mandaue City Field Unit (CIDG-MCFU) on July 4, 2026, for allegedly selling counterfeit all-in-one seasoning. The operation took place at Zuelig Avenue, Barangay Subangdako, Mandaue City at 7:30 PM.
The suspects were identified as alias Erwin, 50, a businessman from Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City; alias Charina, 51, a vendor from Barangay Basak-Tamiya, Lapu-Lapu City; alias Janessah, from Barangay Day-as, Cordova; alias Anthony, 56, from Marawi City; and alias Eddie, 63, a resident of Basak-Tamiya, Lapu-Lapu City.
Seized Items and Operation Details
Operatives seized 113 boxes of alleged counterfeit seasoning granules loaded in an L300 delivery van. The total value of the seized products has yet to be determined.
According to the CIDG, the operation stemmed from a complaint filed by Nestlé Philippines Inc. regarding the sale of counterfeit seasoning that used the company's trademark and other protected intellectual property rights.
Authentication and Legal Action
A site inspection and authentication, led by the company's lawyer, confirmed that the packaging, labeling, print quality, security features, product identification markings, and other product features were counterfeit and unauthorized by the company.
