P50-M pirated DVDs, VCDs seized at NAIA

Some P50 million worth of pirated digital video discs (DVDs) and video compact discs (VCDs) that arrived from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last Sunday were seized by authorities from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Col. Joey Yuchongco, Customs police deputy director and project manager of BOC’s scanning unit, said two crates of pirated DVDs and VCDs were misdeclared as turntable accessories by the consignee.

Charges for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines for misdeclaration of the pirated items are being readied for filing against the firm.

Authorities said the shipment was alerted by personnel of the scanning unit when it arrived from Kuala Lumpur through a local warehouse.

Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo and NAIA District Collector Celso Templo led the opening of the crates and examination of the pirated CDs .

Earlier, some 1.8 million tons of pirated VCDs and DVDs worth about P60 million were seized at another warehouse. The discs were destroyed at Camp Crame last week.

The BOC and the Videogram Regulatory Board have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA), paving the way for a stronger campaign against illegal copies of movies.

Bernardo also commended Templo and Yuchongco for the interception of the pirated discs. – Sandy Araneta, Rey Arquiza