CIDG seizes suspected fake Magic Sarap seasoning in Cagayan de Oro
At a glance
- The CIDG arrested a Chinese store owner in Barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro, on 5 October 2026.
- More than 160 boxes of suspected counterfeit Magic Sarap seasoning were seized. The CIDG values them at about ₱896,000.
- Nestlé Philippines representatives took part. The suspect faces Intellectual Property Code charges.
Police in Cagayan de Oro have arrested a Chinese national who owns a store in Barangay Bulua and seized more than 160 boxes of what they say is counterfeit Magic Sarap food seasoning. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) carried out the operation on 5 October and put the value of the goods at about ₱896,000. [1], [2]
According to The Mindanao Sentinel, the operation ran from about 2:14 a.m. to 6:25 p.m. and involved three CIDG units: the Misamis Oriental/Camiguin Provincial Field Unit under PMAJ Dan Junson V. Espinosa, Regional Field Unit 10 under PLTCOL Jerome Jay S. Ragonton, and the Cagayan de Oro City Field Unit. Representatives of Nestlé Philippines took part. GMA News describes it as an entrapment operation in which the boxes were bought from the suspect, after a company complained about the spread of fake products. [1], [2], [3]
The figures differ. The CIDG gives a value of about ₱896,000. GMA News reports that an employee of the company confirmed the products were fake and valued them at about ₱600,000. The suspect, who has not been named, faces charges under the Intellectual Property Code (Republic Act No. 8293) and had not made a statement, according to GMA. The CIDG warned that counterfeit food can bypass health and safety checks. [1], [2], [3]
This is the third counterfeit food case from the Philippines we have covered this month, after the seasoning seized in Marilao and the slimming coffee in Plaridel, both in Bulacan. This one is in Mindanao, a long way from the Bulacan warehouses.
Sources
- The Mindanao Sentinel. Chinese National Arrested in Cagayan de Oro Over Alleged ₱896,000 Counterfeit Magic Sarap Products. Published 7 October 2026 (time not shown). English. Byline: Northern. Accessed 16 October 2026.
- EuroTV News. Chinese businessman arrested over selling ₱896-K counterfeit seasoning product. Published 2026-10-07 15:52 Manila time. English. Byline: Erickson Santiago. Accessed 16 October 2026.
- GMA News. Chinese national arrested in Cagayan de Oro for allegedly selling fake food seasoning. Published 2026-10-09 03:50 Manila time. English. Byline: GMA News. Accessed 16 October 2026.