Czech envoy cooperates with NBI; Vitangcol to be questioned

MANILA, Philippines - Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar has cooperated with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in its parallel probe on the alleged $30-million extortion attempt in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3) expansion project.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima bared this yesterday as she confirmed that MRT general manager on leave Al Vitangcol III would be invited to the NBI probe.

De Lima revealed the bureau has already “touched base” with Rychtar, from whom the charge reportedly originated, to gather information on the supposed extortion attempt.

She, however, refused to reveal details of Rychtar’s statement pending verification by probers.

But she confirmed that the ambassador has tagged Vitangcol in the alleged extortion try.

“GM Vitangcol and others implicated (by the ambassador) will be summoned by the NBI in due time,” she told reporters.

The NBI is the investigative arm of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The parallel probe of the NBI on the alleged extortion attempt on Czech railway firm Inekon Group in July last year by officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) was ordered by President Aquino himself last month.

The DOJ chief said that agents of the bureau were given the task “to ascertain the facts and the truth and determine accountability, if warranted.”

The STAR reported earlier that Rychtar had accused DOTC officials of asking Inekon executives for $30 million if they wanted to get the contract to supply 48 new trains for the MRT expansion project. The $30 million, it was alleged, was later reduced to $2.5 million.

Inekon was reportedly blacklisted from the bidding after it refused to pay the government officials $30 million, a claim already denied by Palace officials. Inekon had purchased bid documents, but did not submit a bid.

Earlier reports citing unnamed sources also claimed presidential sister Ballsy and her husband Eldon Cruz were the ones who had demanded $30 million from Inekon as facilitation fee for the MRT deal.

But Rychtar has cleared Ballsy and her husband, saying government-to-government deals do not allow for commissions.