MANILA, Philippines - Manila policemen accidentally stumbled on a hoard of pornographic digital video discs (DVDs) in a van reportedly bound for distribution in the provinces after they arrested the van’s driver for urinating in public in Binondo, Manila Friday.
Police Officers 1 Ulysses San Diego and Antonio Arceo Jr. were on patrol when they saw a white van (XHY-549) illegally parked at the corner of Muelle dela Industria and Frensa streets at around 11:30 a.m.
When they checked, they found the van’s driver, Randy Venus, 27, urinating behind the vehicle, which was “in violation of a city ordinance against urinating in public.”
As part of procedure, the policemen requested Venus and his brother, Allan, 35, to open the van. Police discovered 17 sealed boxes and sacks of DVDs without corresponding receipts. The police officers brought the van to the Manila Police District headquarters for verification.
In the presence of Venus and his brother, the police officers opened the boxes and sacks and found thousands of pirated pornographic DVDs. The two brothers claimed they were not aware that they were delivering pornographic materials.
According to Mobile Patrol Unit chief Superintendent Ferdinand Quirante, a certain “Eric Tan” claimed ownership of the shipment, which was destined for delivery to the provinces.
Police said they will bring the entire shipment to the Optical Media Board for proper disposition.
Aside from violation of Revised City Ordinance 1119 for obstruction and 1054 for urinating in public places, the driver and the helper will be charged with possessing and transporting pornographic materials, according to Quirante. – Nestor Etolle