Cops admit failure in catching vendors of ‘Gloriagate’ CDs

The controversial "Gloriagate" compact discs have been proliferating in the streets, but so far police have not made any arrest of either the sellers or holders of the bootleg CDs.

In a press forum at the Ambassador Hotel yesterday, Western Police District (WPD) director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong admitted that policemen have had a hard time arresting the vendors of the controversial CDs.

He revealed that several raids had been conducted on stalls selling pirated CDs in Sta. Cruz and Quiapo districts, but so far not a single copy of the CD, which allegedly contains the wiretapped conversations between President Arroyo and elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano was found.

According to Bulaong, he was informed that these CDs were either being distributed free or sold at bargain prices of P5 by members of militant groups or supporters of the opposition.

"Definitely these CDs could not be obtained at local stalls selling pirated tapes. This only shows that there are deliberate efforts by some sectors out to destabilize the government to clandestinely distribute the tapes and sow anger and hatred among the populace," Bulaong said.

He said, however, that stalls selling pirated CDs are continuously being monitored.

He also denied reports that the WPD had formed a task force to go after the controversial CDs.

"There is no special police team created to go after these tapes. The police are only doing their jobs, that is to assist the authorities in enforcing the law."

Bulaong, however, said they are coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to catch and charge the brains behind the mass reproduction of the CD.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had warned sellers and holders of the bootleg CDs that they could face 30 to 90 days imprisonment for violation of the Anti-Wiretapping Law.

Bulaong said the police are still awaiting proper guidelines from the Department of Justice on the legal aspect of the arrest to be made on holders of the bootleg CDs.