“I can feel there’s a demolition campaign against me,” he says. “It’s either someone is eyeing my position kaya sinisiraan ako, o may mga nasagasaan ako in my raids against pirates. O baka akala nila, I’ll run for public office, but I have no political ambitions at all. My accomplishments speak for itself. Number one tayo in fighting piracy in Asia. For the first time, napaalis yung pirates in Quiapo in coordination with Mayor Fred Lim. I realized kasi, after our raids, galit na galit sa’min yung Muslim vendors ng pirated DVDs. ‘O ano, masaya na kayo? Wala na kaming makain.’ So I used the wholistic approach to solve the problem. First, I coordinated with the local officials involved, like Mayor Lim, and the PNP. I also asked the help of the Director of Muslim-Christian Affairs, Ruben Guiling. Sinama ko siya sa raids and he talks to the Muslims in Maranaw. We explain to them the consequences of piracy and then we offer alternative livelihoods. Dun nakita ng Muslims ang sincerity ko to help them. Hindi kasi kami basta magre-raid then aalis na. There’s now communication between us. I give them extensions to sell their remaining stocks, just like in Harrison Plaza and Makati Cinema Square. I also now talk to students in various schools even in the provinces to foster awareness about the ill effects of piracy. So many movie houses in the provinces have closed down because of this. I’m coordinating with the airports to intercept pirated materials coming from China being sold here. But then, you can’t please everyone kaya may gusto kong mapaalis, but I’m here until 2013 pa.”
For the latest activities of the OMB, you can check their website at www.omb.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/rickettsronnie. Doesn’t he miss acting? “I do. Boss Vic of Viva has asked me to direct a new movie and we’re meeting about it soon.” How’s his family? “My wife Mariz is in TV5’s ‘Utol Kong Hoodlum’. Our eldest, Marella, is now 16 and a high school senior. The youngest, Marie, is 13 and a freshman. Teenagers na.”
