MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it will identify other possible victims of alleged blackmail linked to the Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) following the arrest of its founder Franco Mabanta and four others for alleged extortion involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said on Thursday that several government officials and private individuals have approached the agency, indicating similar experiences related to alleged blackmail attempts. He said none of the individuals formally filed complaints, but their accounts suggest a possible pattern of conduct under investigation.
Matibag said the NBI will apply for a cyber warrant to examine electronic devices seized from the suspects to determine possible additional targets and communications relevant to the case. He added that investigators expect to recover deleted digital data from the devices.
Mabanta and four others were arrested on Tuesday during an entrapment operation in Pasig City conducted by the NBI’s Organized and Transnational Crime Division.
According to the NBI, agents posed as representatives of Romualdez and turned over marked money during the operation. Authorities said the suspects were arrested after receiving suitcases containing cash.
Mabanta denied the allegations and said the arrest was a setup. He said the group did not commit extortion and claimed they were approached by the complainant’s side.
Romualdez’s spokesperson Elaine Atienza said the complaint was based on an alleged demand for money in exchange for not releasing information. She said Romualdez reported the matter to authorities, which led to the NBI operation.
Atienza said the case involves alleged extortion and not press freedom, and added that the matter will be resolved based on evidence.
The NBI said it is also considering summoning other individuals connected to PGMN as part of its investigation.
PGMN has denied the allegations and said it was conducting research on alleged corruption involving Romualdez. It said it did not attempt extortion and maintained that it would present evidence in its defense.
