Gatdula denies involvement in P300-million investment scam

Former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Magtanggol Gatdula denied he was involved in the P300-million investment scam that victimized 100 peole, among them 30 police officers, claiming he was in talks with the suspected mastermind of the scam over another transaction regarding a security agency.  

In a statement, Gatdula said he did not have any transaction with Peter James Abarico, the suspected operator of the swindle, when it came to Abarico's marketing and investment business.

“Mr. PJ Abarico offered to buy some shares in the security agency where I am the President... the offer of Mr. Abarico was thus accepted by the Board. I had no further transactions with Mr. Abarico,” Gatdula explained in his statement, part of which was aired on GMA News TV's “State of the Nation with Jessica Soho” Tuesday evening.

“[U]ntil about a month later on June 14, 2014 when at the inauguration of the security agency office, I heard him talking with my other invited guests about a new investment opportunity. Mr. Abarico was one of the invited guests because he is one of the shareholders of the agency,” Gatdula said.

Gatdula's statement contradicted what he told GMA News on Monday, in an off-camera interview, when he claimed that he, too, was a victim as he had invested money with Abarico.

In the statement, Gatdula also claimed Abarico encouraged him to join the Royale Business Club International Incorporated, a multi-level marketing company involved in direct selling. The former NBI official maintained that outside Royale, he did not have any knowledge of other businesses run by Abarico.

In another statement, Royale Business Club said it was not involved in Abarico's business.

“Royale has nothing to do with it and we do not tolerate any illegal activity,” Royale said.

Abarico claimed he was an employee of Royale and even presented an ID as a bona fide Royale employee when he was arrested by the Makati Police last week.

Marketing tool

A police major interviewed by GMA News on the condition of anonymity alleged that Abarico was the mastermind behind the swindle, contratry to Abarico's claim that he was just a “middleman” and that some officials of a government agency were the real brains behind the scam.

“Ginamit niya yung pangalan ni General Gatdula... nung nag member na po si General Gatdula sa Royale Business Club, nag-introduce po sa amin si PJ ng other investment,” said the police major, who also placed some money in Abarico's business.

He said Abarico was able to recruit several other polices officers into the business by dropping Gatdula's name as well as by the promise of high returns on their investments.

“Nung time na nag-member na si General Gatdula ng Royale Business Club, at nag-pa-picture si General Gatdula together with us, 'yun po ang naging matibay na marketing tool ni PJ para makumbinsi niya 'yung mga tao na mag-invest sa kanyan,” the police major said.

Makati Police chief Senior Supt. Manuel Lukban meanwhile said they were still waiting for Abarico's formal testimony before deciding whether Gatdula would have to be investigated

“Sa ngayon, until may ilabas na specific statement itong si Mr. Abarico doon lang siguro tayo makakapagsabi kung siya (Gatdula) ba ay part, but sa ngayon, mahirap mag-conclude,” Lukban said.

Abarico faces charges of large-scale estafa and illegal possession of firearms. — Elizabeth Marcelo/DVM/VS, GMA News