Mike Defensor mum on trafficking complaint vs. wife, child

Former AnaKalusugan party-list representative Mike Defensor on Wednesday refused to comment about a complaint against his wife and child alleging their involvement in human trafficking.

“Dito sa raid na nangyari sa amin, actually I apologize but I cannot react. Kasi po ito ‘yung advice, hindi ko naman ‘to kaso eh. Ito po ang advice ng abogado ng aking asawa,” Defensor said at a news forum in Quezon City.

(Regarding the raid that happened, I actually apologize but I cannot react. This was the advice: it's not my case. This is the advice of my wife's lawyer.)

“If it was just me, wala akong problema, I would have reacted. Lest that I be sub judice, kung meron nang court case,” he added.

(If it was just me, I would have no problem, I would have reacted. Lest that I be sub judice, if there is a court case.)

However, Defensor called on the government not to harass individuals criticizing it.

“Sa isang demokratikong setup na nagsasalita ka lamang, nagbibigay ka ng iyong pananaw o opinyon sa nangyari sa inyong lipunan, at marahil nagsasalita ka ng hindi maganda sa ilang mga kawani ng gobyerno o liderato ng ating bansa at ginigipit ‘yang mga taong ‘yan, ‘yan po ang hindi maganda,” he said.

(In a democratic setup, you are just speaking, giving your perspective or opinion on what happened in your society, and maybe you are speaking badly about some government officials or the leadership of our country and harassing those people, that is not good.)

“Ang aking mensahe, alam niyo ho, ang mga taong nagsasalita at may nakikitang pagkakamali, hindi dapat ginigipit ng gobyerno, lalo’t higit ang kanilang pamilya,” Defensor added.

(My message is that people who speak up and observe faults should not be harassed by the government, especially their families.)

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last week filed a complaint against Defensor’s wife and child, among others, for alleged involvement in human trafficking.

According to the NBI, the complaint for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 was filed before the Pasig City Prosecutor's Office.

The filing stemmed from a raid on an establishment in Pasig City, which NBI Director Melvin Matibag said was connected to a hotel where alleged sexual activities took place. The NBI chief said Defensor's wife, Julie, serves as president of the company which owns the hotel. — BM, GMA News