‘CD-VCD pirates also into drugs, kidnaps, prostitution’

TARLAC CITY - Action star-turned-public servant Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. told civic leaders here that there is more than what meets the eye in the piracy of VCDs and CDs.

Revilla said piracy syndicates that have been killing the local film and music industries are also into illegal drugs, kidnappings and prostitution.

And like in the movies, the chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB) has this warning to these groups behind the manufacturing and distribution of fake video and audio compact discs: "Anak kayo ng teteng."

Speaking before leaders and members of the 11 Rotary Clubs in the province here, Revilla said, "Every centavo the syndicates earn from their products will continue to be channeled into their other illegal operations, like drug trafficking, kidnapping and prostitution."

Since he accepted President Arroyo’s offer to head the VRB three months ago, Revilla said his office has been able to confiscate and destroy P2 billion worth of pirated products and equipment.

These, he added, included five million pieces of pirated VCDs and DVDs, and six replicating machines, which caused at least "four major piracy operations" to shut down.

At present, Revilla said the illicit trade has been reduced by 60 percent, even as he vowed to further bring down the syndicates’ operation to 80 percent before the year ends.

As a result of his relentless anti-piracy campaign, he said there are now threats to his life and his family.

"Inumpisahan na rin nila akong siraan (They have even started to destroy my reputation)," he said.

In fact, he said one of his cousins and a close friend were already killed, and that both cases have remained unsolved.

But Revilla told his detractors. "Galingan n’yo pa (Make it better)!"

According to him, over 200,000 workers in the movie industry have already lost their jobs because of piracy, while the government is losing close to P5 billion in revenues a year.

"The local entertainment industry is dying," he said, adding that if the manufacturing of fake VCDs, DVDs and CDs is not totally stopped, the country’s film and music industries will close down three years from now.

He admitted though that some people in film and music production outfits may be involved in the illegal trade. But he said, "We are watching them, and we will soon crack down on these undesirables in the industry."