PASIG CITY, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents recently raided properties connected to former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco in an upscale Pasig City subdivision, following reports of high-powered weapons stored on the premises.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed that the operation took place around August 24 in Valle Verde after the agency secured a search warrant. While authorities found no firearms or armed personnel during the search, they recovered ammunition and gun magazines.
The targeted addresses aligned with information provided by a former police officer, who alleged the residences were purchased to store large sums of cash.
Matibag noted that the NBI was initially unaware the properties belonged to Velasco and his wife, as corporate entities and employees were listed as the registered owners. However, the couple’s ownership was reportedly verified through statements made during the raid.
“There was an operation conducted by the NBI because of the reported presence of illegal firearms, high-powered firearms and that’s why we applied for a search warrant,” Matibag said.
The operation occurred weeks before Velasco was implicated by his former security detail, ex-policeman Rodulfo Gracioso, in the alleged transport of suitcases filled with millions of pesos intended for members of the Duterte family. Velasco’s camp has denied the allegations.
Records show Velasco and his wife departed for Japan shortly after the raid. Although scheduled to return on September 14, official records have yet to confirm their arrival back in the country.