P.5-M porn film labels seized

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has raided an  alleged manufacturer and distributor of pornographic labels for pirated video compact discs (VCDs) and digital video discs (DVDs) in Metro Manila and seized P500,000 worth of printed materials and equipment.

NBI Regional Director Ruel Lasala, of the bureau’s  National Capital Region (NCR) office, said his agents raided the JMNS Printing Corp. located at 92 M.H. del Pilar corner Roque Streets in Tugatog, Malabon at 11 a.m. last July 27.

Special Investigator Rolando Bisarra said the establishment’s owner, Jose Chui, is reportedly the supplier of pornographic labels of pirated CDs and VCDs in Quiapo and Binondo in Manila, Greenhills in San Juan City, and in Caloocan City.

They seized five computers and three sacks of printed materials for pornographic movies and Japanese anime, estimated to be worth P500,000. They were unable to bring the printing machine with them because it was huge and bolted to the ground.

Bisarra said they would leave it up to the court to decide where to store the confiscated items. 

The NBI-NCR received information that Chui is reportedly engaged in the business of printing labels for pirated pornographic movies and confirmed the information after almost two weeks of surveillance.

The lawmen applied for, and received, a search warrant from Malabon Regional Trial Court Branch 74 Judge Leonardo Leonida. The printing firm allegedly violated Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Presidential Decree 969, otherwise known as immoral doctrines, publication and exhibition.

Chui was not in the building at the time of the raid. Only a certain Vicente Ip Kin Kwok, claiming to be a friend of Chui, was present.

“Apart from the pornographic labels, the subject was also printing covers for other films but we did not confiscate them because they were wholesome, therefore not covered by the search warrant, which was only for immoral publications,” Bisarra said.

The NBI learned that just last June 27, the Philippine National Police (PNP) raided the establishment for  manufacturing sexually explicit labels. This, Bisarra said, explained why they only confiscated three sacks of printed materials.

He added that he will coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to determine the identities of the incorporators of JMNS Printing Corp. and file appropriate charges against them. ­ – With Judith Catabay