Sari-sari store owner in Tabuk falls victim to agent of fake cigarettes

Tabuk City, Kalinga – A sari-sari store owner in Tabuk City is warning fellow business owner against fake cigarettes being sold by an individual posing as supervisor of Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc. (PMFTC).

According to the victim, she lost P38,750 after she bought counterfeit products from the suspect.

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, the victim admitted she was easily deceived by the suspect as his ‘sales talk’ was excellent.

"Mayat gamin ti sales talk na sir. Kunana [pay] gamin nga agpangato ti price da ket isu a nangalaak ngumatu ti 200 ti per ream kunana [pay] gamin." she relayed.

After checking the products, it was then that she discovered that the items were fake. The fake cigarette brand sold to her was identified as Marlboro.

When asked how she knew the products were fake, she said that she compared it to the cigarettes found in her store which are the original ones.

According to the victim, among indication that cigarettes are fake are their unusual packaging, lettering used has a different font size, and the difference in taste and smell.

She immediately reported the incident to authorities. She also found out some grocery stores in Tabuk were fooled by said agents.

Legitimate staff of PMFTC were asked regarding the suspects and it was confirmed they were fraudulent individuals.

The sari-sari store owner is now calling on fellow business people to report these malefactors to answer to their wrongdoings.

“Adda ulit dagitoy nga agpangpanggap nga PMFTC nga aglaklako peke nga sigarilyo. Agkaiwara da manen ditoy Kalinga.  Adda da kanu ulit ditoy di last week L300 lugan da. Please nu man napan nag lako kenyayu paki tawag man daytuy number ko 09460829381 tapnu matiliw tayu sudan,” she wrote on a Facebook post.

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