GMA leads destruction of pirated optical discs

President Arroyo led yesterday the destruction of P1.5-billion worth of pirated optical discs at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB) Chairman Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. said the estimated 15 million pieces of contraband were seized in raids in the Visayas and Mindanao in the past nine months.

The VRB has seized over P200 million worth of pirated goods in just three months in cooperation with the Bureau of Customs, Philippine Postal Corp., and various "door-to-door" firms, he added.

Revilla, who was accompanied by his wife Lani Mercado, pushed for the passage of a law to raise the penalty on violators.

PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said the crushing of the pirated discs signified the VRB’s and PNP’s intensified campaign against fake products.

The PNP is creating a task force to support the VRB in seizing pirated discs and arresting those who are hawking them, he added.

During the event, the VRB awarded plaques of appreciation to heads of government agencies which had helped it in seizing pirated discs.

They included Ebdane, National Bureau of Investigation Director Reynaldo Wycoco, Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo, Customs Collector Celso Templo, and Presidential Security Group commander Col. Delfin Bangit.

Plaques of appreciation were also given to Viva Films executive Vic del Rosario and Lily Monteverde of Regal Films. — Christina Mendez