Northern Luzon targeted: OMB intensifies anti-piracy campaign

By Redjie Cawis

BAGUIO CITY -- The Optical Media Board has intensified their campaign against CD, VCD and DVD piracy in the country.

OMB Chairman Ronnie Rickets said they have started operations targeting illegal copying machines used to reproduce music, movies and other audio video materials and being sold and distributer as pirated goods in and out of Metro Manila.

Rickets, who was a guest during the IMPAKABSAT opening in the Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City last week, said that they have seized illegal copying machines based on a tip from informants and they have closed down several establishments around the Metro Manila area the past week.

He said that at the moment they are only doing this in the National Capital Region but they will soon be conducting several anti-illegal piracy operations in key cities including Baguio City.

Rickets said that they have conducted a successful operation in Baguio City last year and they will be doing another as soon as they establish a new OMB officer in the city.

Baguio City is one of the areas being eyed by the OMB since it is considered as one of the largest producers of pirated discs being distributed in the North-Central Luzon area.

Meanwhile, Rickets said they earlier intensified their operations in Manila before the fight of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez to prevent the illegal copying and distribution of the match.

They warned vendors against distribution and sale of the boxing match.

He admitted the OMB is hard up tracking the illegal download and recopy of the boxing match with the use of the Pay-Per-View in residences.

Rickets also warned the people not to buy and support pirated CD, VCD and DVD and instead get original copies.