CJ Hirro 'person of interest' in alleged extortion on Romualdez —NBI

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) tagged Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) anchor CJ Hirro as a "person of interest" in the alleged extortion try on former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“Yung video na ginamit na clip, siya yung nandoon. Ipapatawag namin siya. We will go through the process,” NBI director Atty. Melvin Matibag said in a report of GMA News’ John Consulta on 24 Oras Thursday.

(The video clip used, she is the one there. We will summon her. We will go through the process.)

“Actually, kung tutuusin, based doon sa complaint na binigay, dapat napasama na siya. But we want to exercise caution,” he added.

(Actually, based on the complaint that was filed, she should have been arrested. But we want to exercise caution.)

GMA News has been trying to get Hirro’s side on the matter but her social media accounts were already deactivated.

On Wednesday, the NBI said the agency arrested online media network personality Franco Mabanta in an entrapment operation after an alleged extortion try on Romualdez.

READ: Who is Franco Mabanta?

Mabanta allegedly claimed he possesses videos implicating Romualdez in the flood control scandal. He allegedly pressed Romualdez to pay P350 million or else he will release the said videos via PGMN.

The suspect was arrested after receiving the money.

Mabanta has denied the allegations.

The NBI said it has already applied for a cyber warrant to examine gadgets seized from the suspects.

Mabanta’s lawyer Atty. Bernice Piñol-Rodriguez expressed confidence in their defense during the suspects’ inquest proceedings.

“We felt very confident of our defense. We saw the fatal flaws of the complaint affidavit, the evidence that they've attached, and we are really confident that we built a very strong defense, she said.

The NBI denied allegations that the arrest operation was a setup. Matibag said investigators documented phone calls, text exchanges, and movements of the suspects prior to the arrest.

Matibag disclosed that other government officials and private individuals have reached out to the agency regarding similar incidents.

Meanwhile, the camp of Romualdez rejected claims by PGMN that the former House Speaker was just trying to silence them.

“Romualdez simply did what any person exposed to the same circumstance would do — he reported the matter to the proper authorities, and the NBI acted on that report pursuant to its mandate under the law,” Atty. Elaine Atienza said.

“Such conduct undermines legitimate journalism and damages public trust in genuine media institutions,” she added. —VAL, GMA News