MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a man in Tacloban City for the unauthorized reproduction and distribution of copyrighted law review materials.

The suspect, identified as Boanerges Ty Hidalgo, allegedly distributed video lectures and review content owned by Jurists Bar Review Center via a Facebook group in exchange for money, without permission from the company.

The operation stemmed from a complaint filed with the NBI Cybercrime Division by Jurists, which claimed that Hidalgo’s actions violated multiple laws including the Intellectual Property Code, the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

According to the NBI, Hidalgo agreed to provide copies of the pirated content stored in an external drive during a test-buy operation. He then arranged a meet-up with an undercover agent in Tacloban City.

On July 31, agents from the NBI-Cybercrime Division and the NBI-Eastern Visayas Regional Office arrested Hidalgo in an entrapment operation along Trece Martirez St., Barangays 1 and 4, Tacloban City.

Hidalgo will undergo inquest proceedings for alleged violations of cybercrime through misuse of devices, piracy, and copyright infringement.

NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.) commended the agents involved in the operation and emphasized the bureau’s commitment to protecting intellectual property.

“The arrest of Subject HIDALGO underscores the NBI’s commitment to uphold intellectual property and to protect authors and publishers from piracy and other forms of copyright infringement, especially nowadays that ill-minded individuals create opportunities to exploit and act with impunity,” Santiago said.