OMB amazed at pirated DVD growth in Naga

Could Naga City in Camarines Sur be the next Baclaran, at least in terms of proliferation of pirated optical discs?

 

An agent of the Optical Media Board hinted at this after the agency conducted a raid and seized several sacks of pirated DVDs there Monday, GMA Bicol reported Tuesday.

 

"Amazed and nagulat kami na ganito na. Parang pumapalit na sa Baclaran 'yung dami," OMB agent Dean Perez said.

 

Perez was referring to the proliferation of vendors selling pirated discs in the Baclaran area in southern Metro Manila.

 

The report said the OMB noted an increase in the number of stalls selling pirated optical discs in recent months.

 

It added many of the stall owners were members of the Muslim community in the city who sell pirated discs for a living.

 

One vendor, Monsay Lomala, said they had invested as much as P300,000 for such a business.

 

"Aaminin po namin. Hindi po kami perpekto. Tungkol sa anti-piracy law, alam po namin ang batas na hindi po pwedeng magtinda nito kaya lang alam po namin na mild lang ang kasong ito. Kami po ay napipilitan magtinda nito kasi alam naming ito lamang ang source of income namin," Lomala said.

 

Police said they would be stricter in going after vendors of pirated discs.

 

"Next time may kasama na pong arrest o hindi lang po confiscation of items kundi huhulihin na po sila," said Naga City police OIC Senior Superintendent Narciso Domingo said.

 

Pirated discs destroyed in Ilocos Sur

 

Meanwhile, in Ilocos Sur, the Vigan City government's public safety division and business process and licensing office destroyed thousands of pirated DVDs and fake motorcycle mufflers.

 

The DVDs were seized from ambulant vendors while the mufflers were seized from motorists using modified vehicle accessories, GMA Ilocos reported. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News