National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag disputed claims that the agency only goes after the administration’s political opponents, saying they merely follow where the evidence leads.
“Ang NBI po will act on evidence—evidence-based po tayo. Dito sa nangyari na ‘to, sinundan natin kung saan pumunta ‘yung ebidensya,” Matibag said during a Wednesday press conference.
“Let’s address the big elephant in the room tungkol diyan, ano. Ang sinasabi lagi nila, tinitira ng NBI ‘yung mga kalaban lang. Kalaban saan? Kalaban ng batas, tinitira talaga namin, walang question diyan,” he later said.
The bureau director named a few of the prominent political figures his agency is believed to have targeted over their alliances.
Matibag said former lawmaker Mike Defensor just so happened to have been running human trafficking operations when he was caught; former newscaster Jay Sonza had been issued an arrest warrant—and his case has been pending even before Matibag’s assignment to the NBI.
“Okay, puntahan natin si Mike Defensor. Nagkataon mayroon siyang human trafficking noong hinuli natin. O, si Jay Sonza, may lumabas na warrant. At let it be clear that hindi po si Atty. Matibag ang nagkaso kay Jay Sonza. Noong dumating ako sa NBI, kaso na ‘yan,” he said.
As for Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN), he recognized that the outlet did not favor any one side or public figure, thus calling into question how he could be accused of executing the arrest for political reasons.
“Nakikita ko ‘yung PGMN, nababasa ko ‘yan. Hindi naman sila ‘yung critical lang do’n sa isang particular na group or tao or individual,” Matibag said.
He said that if the NBI has made an arrest in the past without sound evidence, complainants should file a case against the agency.
“As we speak today, we are about 190 successful operations po. All indicted. Naisampa na po, hindi po sa piskalya kundi sa korte. Doon po sa 190 na ‘yun, maghanap po kayo kung sino ‘yung sasabihin na dahil sa politika, kaya nahabol,” he said.
PGMN Founder and CEO Franco Mabanta and four of his companions were apprehended in Pasig City yesterday evening, with operatives finding marked money among their possessions.
