“THEY drew the first blood.”

Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) head Antonio Villar issued the statement in reaction to the accusation of Optical Media Board (OMB) chairman Edu Manzano that PASG was behind the missing replicating machines they jointly seized two months ago.

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“By pointing an accusing finger at us when the OMB was clearly the culprit here, we have no other alternative but prove otherwise,” Villar said.

He said the OMB took the initiative in blaming PASG through a segment of ABS-CBN’s anti-crime program “XXX” last June 27 in which Manzano hinted of an apparent role of some PASG operatives in the missing replicating machines on charges that these were being used in the production of pirated DVDs and CDs flooding the local market.

The segment, he added, was one-sided and lacked the vital quality of a fair broadcast journalism.

“We are not locking horns with anyone. But we have to defend our reputation,” Villar said and dared Manzano to identify those whom he branded as “embarrassing shenanigans” within PASG who might have a hand in the controversial issue.

The PASG chief is confident the issue on whose side is to be blamed on this matter would be cleared based on the chronology of events that led to the quashing of the warrant in favor of the owner of the machines who was charged with economic sabotage. He said all that transpired from day one of the raid and seizure of the machines to the time they disappeared would spare PASG from any liability.

Chronology of events:

March 23, 2009, PASG Director for Operations Danilo Mangila received information about a certain Ahok who occupied a two-storey building at 71 De Jesus Street in Barangay San Antonio, Quezon City for illegal reproduction of CDs and DVDs.

Mangila immediately ordered his men to conduct surveillance in the area and after confirming the information, he verified with Manzano and to Quezon City Business License and Permit Division of whether their offices have granted license and/or permit for Trajano Tin Fu alias Ahok, to operate and engage in the reproduction of DVDs and CDs as well as the sale and distribution thereof.

Manzano and Quezon City Records and Statistics Division chief Natividad Fetil certified that no permit/license was issued to Trajano for the reproduction of DVDs and CDs.

April 1, Villar certified that policeman Gilbert Abarro was detailed with the PASG Intelligence Division and is authorized to apply for the issuance of a search warrant.

April 2, Abarro applied for the issuance of a search warrant which was granted on the same date by Vice Executive Judge Vivencio Baclig of the Quezon City Regional Trail Court (RTC) Branch 77.

Around 8 p.m. of the same date, armed with Search Warrant 4452 (09), PASG and OMB operatives searched the building and arrested Ramil Ritua, Ana Marie Lourdes Manuel, and Malaysian national and Teo Choon Siong. Trajano was not around during the raid.

Ritua, Manuel, and Siong were turned over to the custody of OMB executive director Rosendo Meneses on April 3.

April 3, Manzano issued Inspection Order giving authority OMB agents “…to obtain optical/magnetic media for investigation, take into preventive custody any optical/magnetic media, machines and/or other items suspected to be in violation of Republic Act 9239 and its IRR, and may employ reasonable force in the event of any evasion, obstruction or refusal of this directive.”

April 7, Abarro returned to RTC Branch 77 the original copy of Search Warrant #4452 (09) with report on seizure of replicating machines, bulk of CDs and DVDs and other materials used for the replication of optical media, as well as, the arrest of Ritua, Manuel and Siong.

April 13, the OMB asked RTC Branch 77 to allow them to maintain under preventive custody the machineries and equipment seized.

April 14, PASG agent Rafael Memita turned over the custody of the seized replicating machines and other items to the OMB through Manuel Mangubat.

June 5, Judge Baclig granted the motion of the OMB for preventive custody of the seized replicating machines and equipment.

June 2, the counsel for the respondent – Aquino Lorbes & Associates by Salvador D. Lorbes filed a Motion to Quash Search Warrant 4452 (09).

June 11, the Motion to Quash the Search Warrant was granted by Baclig.

June 16, Mangubat coordinated with the Quezon City Police District for the OMB agents/inspectors/operatives for the conduct of intelligence and enforcement operations. This was the same day the replicating machines were taken out of the establishment. (Press release)