Shipment of pirated DVD, CD confiscated

Joint operatives of the Optical Media Board, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) Naval Intelligence Service Group and Intelligence and Investigation Division of the Manila International Airport Authority, yesterday prevented a huge shipment of  pirated DVDs and VCDs with the arrest of the suspected courier.

Based on a report by Col. Rene Gonzales, chief of the IID-MIAA to MIAA General Manager Alfonso Cusi, the suspect was identified as Alimudin Yusop Imam, 31, a resident of Poblacion, Lambatan, Marawi City. Imam was arrested outside the Cebu Pacific Air Cargo along the Old Domestic Road, Pasay City, while waiting for the shipment to be loaded in a plane bound for Mindanao. Authorities confiscated 40 boxes containing assorted pirated DVDs and VCDs. The suspect tried to escape when he saw the agents but was nabbed after a brief chase.

According to authorities, the shipment originated in Arlegui, Quiapo, Manila and was to be transported to Bacolod, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Dumaguete, Tacloban, General Santos City and other big cities in the Visayas and Mindanao.

It was learned that shortly before the arrest of the suspect, the place was under surveillance after authorities received a tip that shipment of pirated DVDs and VCDs was done daily from 11 p.m. onwards with an interval of 20 minutes.

Authorities also identified three vehicles (a gray Toyota Tamaraw with commemorative plate number of PNPA at the front, and UBU 266 at the rear, red Toyota FX-WAC 914, Toyota Revo XSZ 655) which were used in hauling the cargo.

The suspect admitted that the syndicate is headed by a leader whom he identified only as “Big Boss”, who gives protection money to a PNP personnel assigned at the cargo house.

Although authorities refused to reveal the name of the PNP personnel pending the result of an investigation, he is said to own a red Nissan (RBY 517).                         – Rudy Santos