The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday maintained that the agency has “more than sufficient” evidence against personalities linked to an alleged extortion operation involving Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta and four others.
During an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag said the evidence gathered by the NBI would undergo validation in court proceedings and was filed in accordance with existing legal guidelines, including Memorandum Circular No. 20.
“Sobra-sobra ‘yung ebidensya dito na ipapasok po natin na more than the reasonable certainty of condition. Palagay po namin pasok po talaga ito lahat,” Matibag said.
“Mahirap naman po paniwalaan na sinasabi na setup ‘yun, kumpleto po ‘yung ating ebidensya. Ang lagi ko namang pong sinasabi hindi po dahilan ‘yung sa pagkilos ng NBI para ipromote ang law and order ang basehan ay opinyon,” Matibag said.
The NBI chief said cases have already been filed before the Pasig Prosecutor’s Office against individuals arrested in flagrante delicto, or while allegedly committing the offense.
He added that the suspects underwent inquest proceedings on Wednesday.
The NBI also seized gadgets from the arrested individuals, which Matibag said would undergo forensic examination in connection with possible cybercrime violations under Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Authorities are also examining whether other public officials or private individuals may have been targeted.
“Makikita namin kung sinong mga congressman pa, senador, mayor o governor na maaaring kinausap nila na hindi nagsasalita, na kinikilan din nila, kung sino man pong indibidwal na nandodoon,” Matibag said, adding that investigators are reviewing possible links involving politicians and other personalities.
The NBI chief also disclosed that investigators were studying the financial records of PGMN, citing what he described as questionable spending patterns despite the apparent lack of advertisements, sponsors, or commercial revenue.
“Mayroon po kasi kaming tinitingnan na pattern at nakita naman po namin doon na ‘yung PGMN wala naman silang commercial, wala siyang advertisement, walang sponsor na lumalabas pero malaki po ‘yung paggasta nito, sisilipin po namin ‘yung kanilang income tax return. Itong kumpanya na ito, titingnan po natin lahat iyon,” he said.
Matibag said evidence gathered by the agency included text messages, video messages, and recorded conversations allegedly involving negotiations connected to the delivery of money.
“What can I tell you certainty is mayroon po talagang nangyaring pakikipag-usap ‘yung amin pong mga ahente para don sa delivery niyan. At may mga text messages, may exchange ng mga text messages kasama na po ’yung video messages,“ Matibag noted.
Meanwhile, the NBI chief rejected allegations that the operation was "politically motivated" or a setup, calling such claims unfair to NBI personnel.
“Medyo unfair naman sa men and women ng NBI na maayos na nagtatrabaho at ginagawa ang kanilang mandato to promote law and order na naaayon po sa ebidensya sa nakikita natin,“ he said.
He continued, “Lagi pong sasabihin politika, setup mula po noong nag-assume ako noong February 21, on record po ito mayroon pong dokumento ito, We have 190+ operations po na successful operations nakasuhan na po ‘yan, ‘yung iba nasa korte na nga, ung iba na sa piskal pa pero successful operations based on evidence at diyan po sa 190 na ‘yan. Bilang po sa daliri kung ano yung sinasabi na pinulitika, sinetup eh.”
“Mahirap naman po ‘yung sasabihin na ganon, na gagawa ka ng ilegal tapos kapag hinuli ka sasabihin mo pulitika, sinet-up ka dahil lumalaban ka sa gobyerno, nagsasalita ka ng masama sa gobyerno. Hindi po magandang halimbawa ‘yun,“ Matibag added.
Marked money used in the operation
He also defended the use of marked money in the operation after questions were raised online regarding reports of P75 million allegedly involved in the case.
Matibag explained that law enforcement agencies commonly use “marked money” or “budol money” during entrapment operations, where only the top layer consists of real cash while the rest are dummy bills.
“Alam po ninyo sa law enforcement po allowed po at decided cases na ‘yan. Yung tintawag po na marked money ang tawag ko diyan budol money, sa Recto po namin pinagawa ‘yan,“ he emphasized.
“Wala pong pera na nilabas diyan si Martin Romualdez. May pang-ibabaw po na totoong pera,” the NBI chief emphasized.
The NBI director criticized individuals without law enforcement background who questioned the legality of the operation, insisting that the bureau does not conduct arrests without clear evidence and proper procedure.
“Sana po huwag maggaling-galingan ‘yung mga wala po sa law enforcement na background huwag po sanang mag-alam-alaman at maggaling-galingan para mag-criticize lamang po. Kami po ay hindi gagawa o huhuli ng mga ilegal na gawain ng walang malinaw na ebidensya at wala po sa proseso,“ he added.
PGMN anchor
Matibag clarified that PGMN anchor CJ Hirro was not among those arrested because he was allegedly not directly involved in receiving the marked money used in the operation. However, Hiro’s name was allegedly mentioned in the complaint filed by the complainant.
According to Matibag, investigators are looking into claims that videos involving Hiro may have been used in the alleged extortion activities.
“Wala pa po siya doon sa nahuli kasi hindi naman siya kasama sa aktwal na tumanggap ng mga marked money na dala-dala. Pero base po doon sa reklamo na inihain ng complainant po, binanggit ang pangalan doon. Siguro ang ginamit sa pag-extort po o paninikil ay yung video po na nandoon po ‘yung CJ Hirro, yung anchor po,” he said.
