Pirated VCDs, DVDs seized in Baclaran

Police anti-piracy operatives seized more than 3,000 pirated VCDs and DVDs from vendors in Baclaran, Parañaque City the other day.

City police chief Superintendent Ronald Estilles said the operation was part of the campaign of Philippine National Police against piracy and pornography, also known as Oplan Magdalena.

Operatives from Precinct 1, however, were not able to arrest any of the vendors selling the pirated items after they fled and abandoned their merchandise before police arrived.

The seized VCDs and DVDs were transferred to the Parañaque police station.

Estilles said the pirated items would be brought and destroyed at the Southern Police District headquarters in Taguig.

Police stressed that unlike their previous anti-piracy operations, they did not work in tandem with the Optical Media Board (OMB).

"We have our own program so we can operate on our own. Besides, I don’t think the OMB will complain because we are helping make their task easier," Estilles said.

The city police chief said that they will continue operating against pirates and their suppliers in other areas.

Operators and vendors alike would face charges of violation of Intellectual Property Rights once arrested.

The OMB earlier reported that the Philippine movie industry may lose over P9.8 billion this year alone due to rampant piracy.