04/08/2025
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The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), led by Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), arrested an individual in Tacloban City for unauthorized reproduction and distribution of copyrighted review materials.
The case stemmed from a letter received by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) from Jurists Bar Review Center (Jurists) requesting to take appropriate actions on the alleged unlawful reproduction and distribution of video lectures and review materials owned by or registered to Jurists as its intellectual property, without the latter's authority, in violation of R.A. No. 8293 also known as the βIntellectual Property Codeβ, R.A. No. 8792 or the βElectronic Commerce Act of 2000β, and R.A. No. 10175 otherwise known as the "Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012β.
Investigation revealed that Subject, identified as BOANERGES TY HIDALGO (Subject HIDALGO), was blatantly and rampantly distributing the video lectures and review materials thru a Facebook group "Philippine Law Student Help Group" in exchange for money, without the consent of or authority from Jurists to the latter's damage and prejudice. Acting promptly, NBI-CCD agents conducted a test-buy operation. Subject HIDALGO agreed to provide copies of the video lectures and review materials and have them saved in an external drive. Subject HIDALGO then agreed to meet with the poseur-client in Tacloban City.
On July 31, 2025, the NBI-CCD, with the assistance of NBI-Eastern Visayas Regional Office (NBI-EVRO), conducted an entrapment operation at Trece Martirez St., Brgy 1 & 4, Tacloban City, which resulted in the arrest of Subject HIDALGO.
Subject HIDALGO will be presented for inquest proceedings for violation of the following: Cybercrime through Misuse of Devices under Section 4 par. (5)(i)(aa) in relation to par. (5)(ii) of Republic Act No. 10175, also known as the βCybercrime Prevention Act of 2012β; Piracy under Section 33(b) of R.A. No. 8792, also known as the βElectronic Commerce Act of 2000β in relation to Section 6 of R.A. No. 10175; and Copyright Infringement under Section 217.1 of R.A. No. 8293, also known as the βIntellectual Property Code of the Philippinesβin relation to Section 6 of R.A. No. 10175.
Pursuant to DOJ Department Circular No. 20 s.2023 (Policy on Pro-Active Involvement of Prosecutors in Case Build Up), coordination with the Office of the Prosecutor, Tacloban City was made. Documents are being prepared for inquest proceedings against Subject HIDALGO for the above-stated violations.
Director Santiago commended the NBI-CCD and NBI-EVRO agents whose vigilance and assistance were instrumental in the operation. He stressed that 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.
