30K pirated discs, 28 gambling machines destroyed in Manila

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Around 30,000 pirated discs and 28 video karera (video horse racing) and fruit game machines were destroyed Tuesday in Manila as part of the citywide campaign against piracy and illegal gambling.

Mayor Alfredo Lim used a sledgehammer to smash the gambling machines and led the shredding of the confiscated pirated DVDs at the Bonifacio Shrine.

“These pirated DVDs are a violation of the intellectual property rights that weakens our film industry,” Lim said.

“Instead of going to the movie house, they will just buy these DVDs because these are cheap at just P20,” he said.

The DVDs were confiscated from stalls and vendors around Manila, mostly in Quiapo, in a continuous operation by the Mayor’s Complaint Action Team, Manila City Hall Public Assistance and the Manila police.

“Before, we made 200 films a year. Now because of piracy, it’s down to about 50 a year,” Councilor Lou Veloso said.

Charges of illegal gambling will be filed against the owners and operators of the video karera machines.