P22-million pirated DVDs seized in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - At least P22 million worth of pirated movies and computer software were seized by personnel of the Makati City police and the Optical Media Board (OMB) in a raid at the Makati Cinema Square yesterday afternoon.

Acting Makati City police chief Superintendent Jaime Santos said the raid happened at around 11:30 a.m. He said at least 50 Makati policemen assisted the OMB raiding team.

The pirated software and movies were seized from 75 stalls in the mall.

“We did not find any replicating machines. What we found and seized were pirated movies that could pass off as genuine with its tin packaging resembling those used in original DVD (digital video discs) movies,” said Santos.

 He said no stall owner or vendor was arrested because the stalls were abandoned during the raid.

“They (stall owners) are mostly those who were forced to leave Quiapo and have transferred to Makati after their operations were disrupted by the OMB. The DVDs we have seized appear to have come from China,” he said.

“We already talked to them (stall owners). The city government even offered them alternative sources for income. However, they have refused to stop,” he added.

Santos said police officers would be posted at the mall to ensure that the vendors and stall owners will not resume their illegal operations.