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Franco Mabanta, 4 others face robbery by extortion charges in Martin Romualdez case
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday said online media network founder Franco Mabanta and four others will face charges of robbery by extortion in relation to alleged violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act following an entrapment operation linked to an alleged P300-million payoff demand involving former House speaker Martin Romualdez.
In a press briefing, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said authorities are pursuing the case based on evidence gathered during the operation and emphasized that the agency was targeting alleged criminal acts—not political views or media criticism.
“What we investigate are crimes,” Matibag said.
“So 'yung paggamit ng weaponizing social media to gain financial gain illegally by extortion, we go after that,” he added.
(The use of weaponized social media to illegally gain money through extortion is something we will go after.)
The NBI chief said the alleged extortion scheme involved threats to release videos supposedly damaging to the complainant if payment demands were not met.
“May 5 magre-release sila ng part one ng video,” Matibag said.
(They planned to release part one of the video on May 5.)
According to the NBI, initial negotiations allegedly began around a year ago but resurfaced two weeks ago through a representative of the complainant, with the amount allegedly ballooning to P350 million before settling at a supposed “take it or leave it” demand of P300 million.
“Kasi a year ago, mababa lang ang amount. Pero through the representative of the complainant two weeks ago, it ballooned to P350 million,” Matibag said.
(A year ago, the amount being discussed was smaller. But through the complainant’s representative two weeks ago, it ballooned to P350 million.)
The NBI said the operation became complicated after the main suspect allegedly refused to personally receive the money during the entrapment setup.
“Ang problema lang, 'yung subject ayaw niyang tanggapin 'yung pera personally,” Matibag said.
(The problem was that the subject did not want to personally receive the money.)
Authorities said agents initially released the suspect while conducting surveillance operations that eventually led them to another location in Pasig City where the money was allegedly supposed to be delivered.
“To our surprise, nandu'n din 'yung subject, si Franco,” the NBI director said.
(To our surprise, Franco was also there.)
“That’s the time we declared the arrest of the subject, including other individuals apparently kasama niya in conspiracy to facilitate extortion.”
(That was when we declared the arrest of the subject, along with other individuals apparently involved with him in a conspiracy to facilitate extortion.)
The NBI said the investigation remains ongoing and may extend beyond those already arrested.
“We will go beyond the personalities arrested last night,” Matibag said.
(Our investigation will go beyond the personalities arrested last night.)
Authorities are also examining gadgets, social media accounts, and other digital evidence allegedly connected to Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) which was founded by Franco.
READ: EXPLAINER: Who is Franco Mabanta?
'Not true'
Mabanta, meanwhile, on Wednesday said there is no truth that he was involved in robbery by extortion of Romualdez.
"It's not true, it's definitely not true," Mabanta told reporters following his arrest.
He also noted that he hasn't seen the comments or posts on social media as he doesn't have his phone.
"Talk to my lawyer," Mabanta also said.
Press freedom
Matibag stressed that law enforcement actions should not be interpreted as attacks on press freedom.
“'Yung press freedom, okay 'yan. We protect it. But criminal activities we will go after,” he said.
(Press freedom is fine and we protect it. But we will go after criminal activities.)
The NBI chief also floated the possibility of future legislation regulating certain social media practices, warning against the “weaponization” of online platforms for alleged extortion or reputational attacks.
“Because we don’t want social media to be weaponized,” he said.
The bureau added that it may seek cyber warrants and search warrants as the digital investigation progresses.
Sought for comment, Malacañang said anyone found liable in the arrest of Mabanta should be held accountable, while stressing that due process must be observed.
“The President’s position in all instances is that those who should be held accountable must answer for their actions,” Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Cebu City.
“If they have something to answer for, if they committed a crime, then they must be held liable. But due process must still be followed in all cases,” she added.
Asked whether President Marcos Jr. personally knows Mabanta, Castro said Mabanta is not a friend of the Chief Executive.
“He is not a friend of the President,” the official said.
Castro also suggested looking into Mabanta’s alleged links with the Duterte camp, noting that some of his published content has been critical of the current administration.
“You may want to ask him about his relationship with the Dutertes. He has, in many of his articles, featured content that tends to go against the administration,” the official said.—KG/MCG, GMA News
