GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Two men were arrested after authorities seized hundreds of boxes of alleged counterfeit and trademark-infringing “Magic Sarap” food seasoning products during a buy-bust operation in General Santos City on October 1, 2026.
The operation, conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Sarangani Provincial Field Unit in coordination with Nestlé Philippines and local police units, was carried out at an apartment in Barangay San Isidro at around 8:10 a.m.
According to the CIDG, the suspects—a Chinese national and a Filipino—were allegedly caught in possession and control of, and engaged in the sale and trading of, food seasoning products bearing the “Magic Sarap” trademark.
Authorities recovered 197 boxes of the alleged counterfeit products, with an estimated value of ₱450,000.
The operation formed part of the CIDG’s intensified campaign against violations of Republic Act No. 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, particularly the unauthorized use of registered trademarks and the trading of products suspected of infringing intellectual property rights.
The General Santos City operation was conducted on the same day as a separate CIDG operation in Bulacan, but the two cases were handled independently. The CIDG said the operations nationwide are intended to strengthen enforcement against the manufacture, distribution and sale of alleged counterfeit goods.
Beyond the potential economic impact on trademark owners, authorities also highlighted the possible risks posed by counterfeit food products.
The CIDG warned that fake or counterfeit food seasonings may not have undergone the same health, quality-control and sanitary evaluations required for legitimate food products. As a result, consumers may be exposed to risks that are difficult to determine because the actual ingredients, manufacturing conditions and handling of counterfeit products may not be properly documented or regulated.
The CIDG said Republic Act No. 8293 is intended to protect the exclusive rights of creators, inventors and other intellectual property owners while strengthening the enforcement of intellectual property laws and related regulations in the country.
The agency also reiterated its commitment to protecting trademark owners and consumers from illicit products.
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant when purchasing food products and to report suspicious trading activities or products suspected of being counterfeit to law enforcement agencies.
The two suspects now face possible legal proceedings for alleged violations of the Intellectual Property Code, with the seized products to serve as evidence in the case. Any determination of criminal liability will ultimately rest with the appropriate authorities and courts.