NBI to file human trafficking raps vs. Mike Defensor

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will file a complaint against former congressman Mike Defensor over his supposed links to a KTV bar and hotel in Pasig City that were raided for alleged human trafficking activities.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Wednesday that upon studying documents, including the floor plans of the establishments, it appears that Defensor was part of the alleged human trafficking taking place.

"Alam lahat ni Mike Defensor nu'ng nangyari, being the chairman of the company (Mike Defensor knows everything that happened as the chairman of the company)," Matibag said in a press conference.

In April, the NBI filed a complaint against the wife and child of Defensor, saying the former congressman's wife serves as president of the company that owns the hotel.

Matibag said the design of the bar and the hotel was not in accordance with the one submitted to the city engineer's office.

"Marami silang pinalitan to accommodate 'yung Chicago KTV from the start pa lang (They changed a lot of things to accommodate the Chicago KTV from the start)," he said.

For example, Matibag said, the KTV's entrance was moved, while other hallways were relocated. He said stairs from the KTV on the first floor led directly to the hotel.

In a video posted on Facebook, Defensor said the allegations against him are fabricated. He said he is ready to face them.

"'Yung kasong sinasabi nila, handa akong harapin 'yan at alam kong gawa-gawa nila 'yan. Gagawan nila lahat para makulong po kami. Ang lahat ng nagsasalita sa flood control scandal at sa korapsyon," he said.

(I am ready to face the case they are talking about, and I know it is fabricated. They will do everything they can to have us imprisoned. Everyone who speaks out about the flood control scandal and corruption.)

Further, Defensor said the Pasig City Government approved the structure of the building.

"Kaya ito pong sinasabi nila na kalokohan na kung ano-ano iniba daw ang building plan ay wala pong katotohanan," he said.

(That is why this nonsense they’re saying that the building plan was supposedly altered in various ways, it’s not true.)

Defensor said the NBI is being used for politics, alleging that Matibag is involved in the flood control controversy.

Defensor's wife, Julie, previously denied the allegations against her. She claimed the motive was an "orchestrated smear campaign."

Earlier, the NBI said a total of 54 women were rescued during the operation, which stemmed from reports from a confidential informant about the alleged recruitment and exploitation of women for sexual services.

The bureau said the women were allegedly chosen by customers and brought to a hotel after being presented through a "line-up" system.

A total of 15 individuals were arrested from the operation, while authorities recovered marked money, suspected illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, and documentary evidence.

The 54 women were turned over to social welfare authorities. — VDV, GMA News