P18M worth of pirated CDs, DVDs seized in Quiapo

MANILA, Philippines – Government authorities on Thursday seized P18 million worth of pirated CDs and DVDs near Manila's Quiapo district. A radio report said that the huge number of counterfeit discs was confiscated from stalls lined up along Arlegui and Bautista Sts. in Quiapo by a team composed of Optical Media Board (OMB) officials and operatives from the Police Special Action Force. OMB Chairman Eduardo Manzano was quoted on the radio report as saying that they had already loaded the seized illegal discs into six jeepneys and two trucks. Manzano said they would continue within the day inspections in other areas in Manila where pirated CDs and DVDs are being sold. Two days ago, raiding operatives from the Manila Police District also confiscated around 300 pieces of pirated CDs and DVDs featuring the most recent fight between Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and American David Diaz held over the weekend. Vendors and makers of the counterfeit products could face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9239. Several months ago, the OMB claimed it was able to cut down by two percent piracy operations in the country, saying that almost 400,000 pirated discs and pornographic videos worth P136 million were seized in the first two months of 2008. In 2006 and 2007, the government reportedly lost P55 million and P135 million respectively due to the said illegal trade. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV