The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday, Nov. 17, urged former congressman Mike Defensor to honor his commitment to present evidence supporting his claims that its personnel beat up a former aide of resigned congressman Zaldy Co and forced the aide and his wife to leave the Philippines.
“We call on Mr. Defensor to present verifiable evidence, not hearsay, should he persist in making these accusations,” the NBI said in a statement.
The bureau issued the statement in response to Defensor’s allegations in a news report that NBI agents detained and assaulted Co’s former aide, John Paul Estrada, and his wife, before allegedly providing them fake passports and flying them to Chile.
“These allegations are unfounded, unsupported by evidence, and purely speculative. No complaint, report, or medical record exists showing that Mr. Estrada or his wife suffered physical harm. There is no record of their custody under the NBI,” the bureau stressed.
The NBI said it has begun coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration on the matter and is awaiting its response.
It added that Defensor had already been contacted and gave his word to submit evidence to support his claims.
“Should the evidence warrant, the Bureau shall proceed with the appropriate investigative actions,” it said. “Absent any credible proof, these allegations remain unfounded, cannot be given weight, and may even lead to prosecution for its malicious intent to undermine the credibility and integrity of the Bureau.”
The NBI emphasized that it is “fully open to any formal investigation and welcome any legitimate inquiry to establish the truth,” reaffirming its “commitment to transparency, due process, and the rule of law.” (Jeffrey Damicog)
