Cops nab man making fake CDs, VCDs, DVDs

A man suspected of duplicating CDs, VCDs and DVDs in barangay Guadalupe without the permission from the Optical Media Board was arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch last Wednesday night.

Joel Almerez, 36, was arrested by PO2 Albert Luardo and PO1 Rey Carlo Veloso who raided his rented apartment in V. Rama Avenue past 9 p.m. Wednesday armed with a warrant issued by judge Gabriel Ingles for violation of RA 9239 Sec 19 article a-1.

Section 19 a-1 of the said article punishes those who "engage in the importation, exportation, acquisition, sale or distribution of or possession, operation of manufacturing equipment parts and accessories without the necessary licenses from OMB." It prescribes the imprisonment of at least three years but not more than six years and a fine of not less than P5,000 but not exceeding P1,000,000 at the discretion of the court.

Equipment allegedly used in the manufacturing and duplication of disks were recovered during the raid, these were valued at P400,000.

CIIB investigator Filomeno Mendaros said they were supposed to apply for a warrant against Almerez last month when they confirmed the alleged illegal activities of the subject but they needed guidance from the OMB regarding the violation committed.

Last Monday, intelligence operatives from the OMB sought the assistance of CIIB for a raid against pirated CDs, VCDs and DVDs downtown, that was when Luardo told them about their impending operation against Almerez. Luardo had been building the case against Almerez for a month prior to the raid.

Mendaros said under the OMB rules, Almerez needs a permit from the said agency to manufacture or duplicate any disks and another permit if he wants to circulate them.

Both Luardo and Veloso are also embroiled in their controversies, Luardo is presently being investigated for allegedly maltreating a jeep driver, while Veloso is accused of intentionally killing a suspected drug pusher in a saturation drive in barangay Luz Sunday night.

Acting city police director Melvin Gayotin last Wednesday declared that Luardo and Veloso are "good as relieved" from their post because they are not directly reporting to CIIB as of the moment, being among those who are trained to secure participants of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games.

But Gayotin said there was no directive violated even if Luardo and Veloso went with the raid last Wednesday as there were no orders issued directing their relief from the CIIB. - Ryan P. Borinaga