Pirated DVDs seized at NAIA

Three suitcases containing 114 kilos of pirated DVDs were seized by Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents from three Middle East-bound female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Sunday night.

Gaylord Ventura, acting examiner of the BOC Departure Operations Division, said Marivic Magayam, from Tabuk, Kalinga, Apayao; Jesusan Sunajo; and Marites Munio, both from San Fernando, La Union were caught in possession of the three bags containing the DVDs.

The bags were intercepted at 7 p.m. at the initial check-in, east x-ray station of NAIA Terminal 1.

Inside the bags were several taped boxes containing illegal copies of recent movies such as Charlie’s Angels 2, Johnny English, Naked Weapon, Tomb Raider 2, 2 Fast 2 Furious and the Italian Job.

The BOC said that the three insisted they were aware of the contents of the bags, which were only sent by a mutual friend identified only as Jane.

Customs Collector Fil Carreon, chief of the Passenger Services Division, said NAIA District Collector Celso Templo has ordered the seized items be destroyed.

The DVDs have been temporarily placed at the In-Bond Division Office of the BOC at the NAIA. – Sandy Aranet