17-21 November 2003, Manila, EU-ASEAN OPERATIONAL SEMINAR ON THE ROLE OF CUSTOMS IN COMBATTING COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY

Commissioner Antonio Bernardo, Bureau of Customs, received a token of appreciation from ECAPII Project Director Valentin Mir, following a meeting between European experts, the ECAP II team, and Bureau of Customs staff to finalize arrangements for the EU-ASEAN Operational Seminar on the Role of Customs in Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy in Manila during 18-21 November 2003.

Seen here addressing the opening of the EU-ASEAN Operational Seminar on the Role of Customs in Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy on 18 November 2003 are, from left, ECAP II Project Director Valentin Mir, Mr. Pacifico A. Avenido Jr., Deputy Director General, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines and Mr. Guy Platton on behalf of the EC Delegation to the Philippines.

Atty. Anju Nereo C.Castigador, Chief of the Internal Inquiry and Prosecution Division, Customs Intelligence&Investigation Service, Bureau of Customs, is seen here coordinating field exercise involving over 40 participants at the Manila port with Mr. Christophe Zimmermann, [right] Customs Expert from the Directorate General for Taxation and Customs, the European Commission in Brussels, and Mr. Christophe Lamy from BIC [left] who was among the right holder representatives present at the Seminar in Manila.

Commissioner Antonio Bernardo, Bureau of Customs (second left) presided over the successful conclusion of the EU-ASEAN Operational Seminar on the Role of Customs in Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy on 21 November 2003.
Pictured here from left are Mr. Christophe Zimmermann from the EC Directorate General for Taxation and Customs, Commissioner Bernado, IPO Deputy Director General Pacifico A. Avenido Jr., ECAP II Project Manager Nam Ngo Thien.

The press conference on the cooperation between European and ASEAN customs officials on 20 November 2003 was attended by 26 media representatives, as well as representatives from EU Member State embassies in Manila. From left, Ms Carmen G. Peralta from the IPO Philippines, Deputy Commissioner Ray M. Allas, Bureau of Customs, Mr. Pacifico A. Avenido Jr., Deputy Director General, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines Mr Christophe Zimmermann, and Mr Nam Ngo Thien at far right. Mr Zimmermann’s presentation of statistics illustrating the extent of the problem, and the diverse range of counterfeited products [shown here at the stand in front] some of which could harm consumer health and safety, generated considerable publicity for the event.

The European experts tackling the challenge of delivering a nursery rhyme in Tagalog during the dinner to welcome participants.