Socmed operator Franco Mabanta nabbed for alleged Romualdez extortion
MANILA, Philippines (2nd update, 4:38 pm.) — The National Bureau of Investigation has arrested internet personality Franco Mabanta for allegedly attempting to extort former House Speaker Martin Romualdez over purported videos tied to the flood control controversy.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed Wednesday, May 6, that Mabanta was arrested in an entrapment operation in Pasig City.
Lawyer Mark Santiago of the NBI Special Action Unit said the P300 million represented the final demand in what investigators described as a broader P350 million extortion attempt.
Santiago said the amount had grown from a smaller demand made about a year ago.
According to the NBI, the P300 million was supposed to be released in four tranches worth P75 million each.
Mabanta, founder of the online commentary page Peanut Gallery Media Network and self-styled "political operator," allegedly claimed he possessed videos linking Romualdez to the flood control scandal.
Threat to release videos
Investigators said Mabanta threatened to release the videos if the demand was not met by May 5.
"'Yung threat is 'pag hindi ma-settle 'yung dine-demand nila, May 5 ilalabas na 'yung part 1 nung video," Santiago said. (The threat was that if the demand was not settled, part one of the video would be released on May 5.)
The NBI has yet to disclose the specific charges to be filed against Mabanta.
Romualdez has been linked in recent months to investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, which are currently under review by the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a separate press statement, the NBI named the following as co-respondents who were also arrested:
- Ericson James Pacaba, a financial consultant and investor,
- John Alexander Vasquez Gomez, a businessman,
- Jardine Christian Requio Serrano, an advertising specialist, and
- Franco Jose Gallardo.
PGMN, meanwhile, claimed that its owners are "innocent" and the arrest of their founder was a "set up."
"There was no extortion. There were zero threats from us. That's all bullshit. The "evidence" provided showed one side of the story," PGMN's statement read.
--
FROM INTERAKSYON'S ARCHIVES: Bongbong Marcos’ strategist schooled after saying Greta Thunberg has ‘mental illness’
- Latest
- Trending
