11 convicted for video piracy

The government’s anti-film piracy campaign has scored a major victory when a Valenzuela City court convicted in two separate decisions 11 Chinese nationals for reproduction of video films, among others.

Videogram Regulatory Board Chairman Ramon "Bong" Revilla said the latest court action reflects the government’s resolve to eradicate film piracy, the bane that has been dogging the multibillion-peso industry and upon which millions of Filipinos depend for a living.

"This is a clear sign that the days of video and music piracy are numbered," said Revilla lauding the decision as a "very positive" development in the campaign against film piracy.

In a two-page decision, Judge Floro Alejo found accused Jiang Ming Zhi, Jhuang Shang Ti and Zheng Huo Yan guilty beyond reasonable doubt and meted them three months and one day terms and each to pay a fine of P500,000 with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency.

VRB agents raided their residence and place of work in Valenzuela City on Jan. 29.

Similar sentences were given to Joshua Chen, Lee Hokbeng, Johan Ang, Uang Zhu Sy, Wen Jhong, William Tan, Kim Diang and Ong Wen San.

They were arrested in their place of operations in Malinta, Bulacan last March 13.

The replicating machines as well as other paraphernalia used in the illegal reproduction of movies found in their possession were forfeited in favor of the government.

The penalties would have been stiffer had he judge not appreciated the accused’s plea of guilt, a mitigating circumstance.

Earlier, one Raffy Bitancor was sentenced by Pasig Regional Trial Court Judge Jose R. Hernandez to suffer the straight penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine of P50,000 for each of the two offenses for engaging in the reproduction and sale of pirated materials. Fourteen others, including a couple from Bicol, were sentenced to appropriate imprisonment and fine for engaging in film piracy.