Sale of fake products hard to stop, says Muslim exec

CEBU - Office of Muslim Affairs Regional Director Sakiran Hajan yesterday admitted it is a steep climb convincing Muslim traders to stop selling pirated products owing to economic reasons made worse by the global financial crunch.

Hajan said he personally has been convincing his Muslim brothers in Central Visayas- numbering to about 132,000- to comply with the law on the sale of pirated products but failed to do so fully.

“Kapit sa patalim sila tungod sa kalisud karon sa panahon,” Hajan said.

Because of this, Hajan said it should be the city government that should intensify its campaign against manufacturers of these pirated products, including movies and music, considering that Muslim traders only buy them from suppliers, mostly from China. 

Movie operators in Cebu have complained of the rampant sale of pirated digital compact discs, compact discs and video compact discs, which have tremendously affected the local movie industry. 

Authorities have, time and time again, raided stores selling pirated products but remain unsuccessful in fully stopping the trade.

Hajan said Muslims in Cebu City will be supporting whatever initiative would be implemented by the city, in respect to Mayor-on-leave Tomas Osmeña who they have earlier appointed as sultan. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)