P13.58M in pirated discs seized in Philippines

A TOTAL of P13.58 million worth of pirated digital video discs (DVDs) and compact discs (CDs) were seized by joint government operatives at the New Public Market in Barangay 1, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental late Friday afternoon.

The operation, which was reported by the Police Regional Office-Western Visayas on Saturday, December 2, was conducted by personnel of Optical Media Board (OMB) and operatives of Kabankalan City Police Station.

Around 5 p.m., the team raided eight stores which yielded 97 sacks of pirated DVDs and CDs, the police report said.

The seized items were placed under the custody of the OMB.

Last September 30, the OMB team also confiscated an estimated P14 million worth of pirated DVDs and CDs at the De la Rama Arcade at Plaza Mart mall in Bacolod City.

Operatives led by chief of enforcement Manuel Mangubat and team leader Joseph Arnaldo of OMB-Manila then swooped down on about 20 stalls and seized more or less 100 sacks of pirated items.

The stall owners are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9239 or Optical Media Act of 2003.

Data from the OMB released in November showed the agency confiscated P1.047 billion worth of pirated materials around the country from January to October this year.

OMB chairman Anselmo Adriano came to this city on November 6 to lead the information drive against piracy in a forum held at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos.