NBI: Alleged extortion by Mabanta on Romualdez not protected by freedom of speech

National Bureau of Investigation chief Melvin Matibag on Monday defended the arrest of Franco Mabanta, amid claims that it is a violation of the freedom of expression.

“‘Yung freedom of expression, ‘yan po ay sinusuportahan natin. Freedom of the press, freedom of expression,” he said in an interview on Unang Balita.

(The freedom of expression, that is something we support. Freedom of the press, freedom of expression.)

“Pero kung ang isang material na gagamitin sa pagpapahayag ng kanilang saloobin ay gagamitin para po gumawa ng illegal na bagay kagaya po nito pangingikil, panghingi ng pera, at pananakot ay hindi po tama ‘yun at ‘yun po ay outside na po, kundi paglabag na po sa batas ng ating republika,” he added.

(But if a material used in expressing their opinion is used to do illegal acts such as coercion, extortion, and threats, that is not right and that is already outside of, if not already a violation of, the laws of our republic.)

Meanwhile, Matibag explained that the operation conducted by NBI agents was an entrapment.

“[Ang] entrapment operation, sine-set up talaga ‘yon, hindi po ba? Kita naman po ‘yung buong proseso, very transparent. There are media personalities na mga nandodoon to monitor the operation,” he said.

([An] entrapment operation is really set up that way, isn’t it? The whole process is visible, very transparent. There are media personalities there to monitor the operation.)

NBI detailed its operation against Mabanta and PGMN in an interview with Jessica Soho aired on Sunday.

Last week, the NBI arrested Mabanta and four others in an entrapment operation after an alleged extortion attempt on former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

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

Mabanta and four others were released from NBI custody on Saturday after posting P120,000 bail each n the robbery extortion case. The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167 issued the release order.

The PGMN released a video Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, the NBI has issued a subpoena against Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) anchor CJ Hirro. The subpoena was dated May 6 but made public on May 8.

Matibag said Hirro is expected to go to NBI on May 11. Hirro's lawyers arrived at NBI before noon Monday.

When asked what would happen should Hirro not appear before the NBI, Matibag said they may issue another subpoena. They may also determine if there is enough evidence to either dismiss the investigation against her or include her in a complaint.

"We will proceed from there kung papaano po. Pwedeng patawag pa ulit or kung enough na 'yung ebidensyang hawak para ipawalang-sala o isama sa kakasuhan," he said. —AOL, GMA News