For pirated DVDs, Software12 stalls raided

CEBU, Philippines - Twelve stalls selling pirated DVDs and computer software were raided by joint operatives of the Optical Media Board (OMB) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 yesterday afternoon.

Lawyer Cyrus Valenzuela, OMB team leader, told The Freeman that a complaint they received led to the raid in two malls in Cebu City - one in downtown Cebu and another at Cebu North Reclamation Area.

“The raid was through a complainant na di natin pwede i-disclose ang pangalan,” he said.

Stall owners and mall goers were shocked at around 2:30 p.m. when operatives from the OMB and CIDG-7 stormed three stalls at the mall located at the Cebu North Reclamation Area.

OMB officers immediately loaded the seized pirated DVDs into three vehicles. These will be used as evidence against the owners of the stalls. “We are now focusing on enforcement,” Valenzuela said.

One of the raided stalls was padlocked when the operatives arrived, but armed with a bolt cutter OMB operatives broke into the stall.

According to Valenzuela, the raid will serve as a “warning” to all peddlers of pirated DVDs and computer software.

Although they confiscated loads of pirated DVDs, Valenzuela clarified that their primary target in the raid were pirated computer software, which is rampant in the country. 

Boxes of pirated computer software installers which normally sell for thousands were confiscated in the raid that lasted an hour.

The raid was conducted peacefully after both workers and owners cooperated with the OMB.

“Our next target will be the manufacturers themselves,” Valenzuela said.

He said they plan to conduct more raids in the region to combat the proliferation of pirated DVDs and computer software.

The seized items will be sent to their warehouse where these will be destroyed through a shredder machine. – (FREEMAN)