Franco Mabanta undergoes inquest over alleged robbery, extortion on Romualdez

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta and four others underwent inquest proceedings on Wednesday evening for alleged robbery and extortion against former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari said the inquest was conducted in relation to Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code, or robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons.

Authorities have alleged that Mabanta and his companions attempted to extort P300 million from Romualdez in exchange for allegedly withholding the release of a supposed video linking the lawmaker to anomalous flood control projects.

Mabanta earlier denied the allegations and claimed the operation against them was a "setup," adding that he and his colleagues are prepared to prove their innocence.

The bureau said the entrapment operation was backed by evidence gathered during its investigation, including phone calls, text messages, CCTV footage, and surveillance operations.

Mabanta is now being treated as a person of interest, the NBI said, in connection with the alleged circulation of the controversial video supposedly linking Romualdez to alleged anomalous flood control projects.

Meanwhile, the NBI will ask the courts for a cyber warrant to gain access to gadgets confiscated from the individuals nabbed during the operation, saying these might contain information related to the ongoing investigation.

In an earlier statement, the NBI-Organized and Transnational Crime Division (OTCD) said the robbery-extortion complaint stemmed from allegations that Mabanta and several associates, including a PGMN anchor, demanded P300 million in exchange for withholding the release of the online content purportedly implicating Romualdez.

Authorities said portions of the alleged video material were supposedly sent to lend credibility to the threat before an entrapment operation was conducted.

His camp, however, has yet to address reports regarding the cash allegedly recovered from their possession during the operation.

The inquest proceedings were held Wednesday night before prosecutors.

In an interview with reporters, NBI Director Melvin Matibag defended the bureau’s use of fake or boodle money during the entrapment operation after questions surfaced online regarding the supposed use of P75 million in cash used in the arrest.

He said the use of fake and marked money in law enforcement operations has been allowed by the Supreme Court and is a standard practice during entrapment operations.

"It's already been decided by the SC na pwede gumamit (It's already been decided by the Supreme Court has already ruled that it is allowed)," Matibag said.

He explained that the fake money used in the operation was produced for the entrapment setup, while real money amounting to P50,000 was also provided by the NBI and documented through serial numbers.

"'Yung totoong pera jan, kung makikita niyo in the video, nililista 'yung serial number, 'yan po 'yung marked money na tinatawag (If you look at the video, the serial numbers of the real money were being listed. That is what we call marked money),” he stressed.

Matibag also lashed out at those raising questions online regarding the legality of the operation despite having inadequate knowledge of law enforcement procedures. — VDV, GMA News