VRB chief hits US official’s remark on piracy

Chairman Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. of the Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB) accused yesterday visiting US Commerce Assistant Secretary William Lash of insulting him when the American official announced Saturday that the government was doing nothing to crack down on video pirates.

In a statement, Revilla said Lash has "personally embarrassed me and outrightly offended my office," although it could not be denied that pirated videos continue to be sold in the country.

"It is therefore insulting to receive such flak that appears to be based on hasty generalizations," Revilla said. "It would have been better for the honorable assistant secretary to have first looked in the situation existing a year ago, and compared it to the existing situation."

Revilla said "it (could) not be categorically stated" that the government has not been doing anything to go after manufacturers and traders of pirated videos.

"Since my assumption of office in July 2002, with the full support of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, we have successfully shut down four illegal replicating operations, where seven replicating machines were confiscated," he said.

"We have seized four replicating machines upon entry into the country, and have confiscated over six million pieces of pirated videos, all amounting to over P2 billion," he said.

Revilla said "indications also show" that major illegal replicating operations have moved out of the country since he and his men have raided factories and trading places of these illegal products.

"I do not claim to have completely addressed the problem. All I humbly say is that a 50 percent to 60 percent reduction in the volume of pirated videos in the market is an accomplishment," Revilla added.