Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation–National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) arrested a man in the City of Manila for the unauthorized practice of optometry and falsification of documents, in a crackdown ordered by NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.).

The suspect, identified as Enrico Mabalay Abesames, was arrested on July 17 following an entrapment operation at Eyezone Optical Centre, where he was allegedly posing as a licensed optometrist. He will face charges for violating several provisions of Republic Act No. 8050 (Revised Optometry Law of 1995) and Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents.

The NBI said they received a complaint on June 29 about the alleged illegal practice of optometry by Abesames. NBI-NCR agents then conducted surveillance on Eyezone Optical Centre, reportedly operated by the suspect.

During the initial operation, undercover agents availed of Abesames’ services and confirmed he was performing optometric examinations without a valid license.

In the follow-up entrapment, an NBI agent acted as a patient and was examined by Abesames using an Auto Refractometer and trial case set with an LCD monitor. Upon accepting marked money, the suspect was immediately arrested by authorities.

Abesames was subjected to inquest proceedings for the alleged violations.

Director Santiago lauded the efforts of NBI-NCR operatives, citing their “relentless efforts and meticulous investigative work” that led to the successful arrest.