GMA voice tapes a bargain at P5 a copy

Could CD pirates be helping destabilization moves against the Arroyo administration?

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Reynaldo Wycoco has ordered the agency’s Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) to check out reports that bootleg CD copies of the alleged Arroyo-Garcillano recordings are being sold for as low as P5 each by vendors.

Wycoco said the NBI is stepping into the matter to confirm if the infamous recordings are now proliferating through pirated copies. The recordings, released to the media by Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye in various forms on June 6, sparked opposition calls for President Arroyo’s ouster, though the identities of those heard on the tapes have yet to be confirmed.

Many believe the woman heard on the recordings is Mrs. Arroyo, allegedly speaking with Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano about poll fraud prior to the 2004 presidential election.

"I have already instructed our Intellectual Property Rights Division to check out if there is a proliferation of discs, and if they could recommend what feasible action we can take against them," said Wycoco.

The IRPD is headed by Assistant Regional Director Justo Justo Yap.

He reminded potential buyers of the bootleg discs that under the Anti-Wiretapping Law, they could be held liable if found to be in possession of copies of the recordings, which were allegedly obtained through illegal wiretapping operations.

The discs are reportedly being sold by militant groups and have been spotted at the University Belt in Manila and in Baclaran, Parañaque City. The discs were said to be selling at a very affordable price of P5. The average price for bootlegged or pirated audio discs ranges from P35 to P50.

Wycoco theorized that the vendors were able to sell the discs at such a low price — pirate CDs cost between P6 and P11 to manufacture — because they were being financed by an unknown party. "So this could mean that someone is spending money to give this away," he said, then added: "The financier — who could it be?"

The NBI director said they had conducted raids against pirate operations in the past, but admitted the agency lacks enough available agents to conduct a massive sweep operation. He said if the IPRD surveillance verifies the reports, the NBI would solicit the support of the Philippine National Police and conduct a joint operation.