Sino film pirates nabbed

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation arrested over the weekend in Valenzuela City eight Chinese nationals for alleged involvement in the production and replication of pirated video compact discs.

Also seized in the raid were video disc replicating machines and assorted video compact discs worth P170 million which were found at the suspects’ alleged two factories.

Those arrested were identified as Jhon Sy Tan, Wen Ki Zheng, Chin Gua Liu, Sheng Yang, Ren Hai Ho, Cai Zhi Ying, alias Jason Wong Chua ; Kun Hong Chim, alias Peter Tan Sy; and Monica Chua.

Prior to the raid, NBI officials said, they received information from the Bureau of Customs that certain Chinese nationals are allegedly engaged in the production of pirated VCDs in Valenzuela City.

The NBI then conducted a surveillance operation to confirm the information.

Last Feb. 28, after confirming the information, NBI agents led by Rafael Ragos, head of the bureau’s Intellectual Property Rights Division, swooped down on the suspects’ alleged factories at 6 Isidro Francisco Street, Barrio Maysan, Valenzuela City and at 12 Java Street, Heron Townhomes, Karuhatan, Valenzuela City.

Seized were two replicating machines, 17 boxes containing VCDs, and 14 boxes containing 900 pornographic video compact discs.

The NBI said the suspects were invited for questioning after they failed to show documents for their operation as well as documents to justify their stay in the country.

Those arrested were charged by the NBI before the Valenzuela City Prosecutor’s Office for illegally reproducing VCDs and for violation of the country’s Immigration and Tariffs and Customs Code. — Mike Frialde