The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has reopened its probe into the flood control controversy following allegations that 18 former military personnel were promised and paid millions of pesos in exchange for statements linking several individuals to the issue.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag revealed that a witness alleged that a ₱5-million payment was given to the former soldiers and that former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor was identified as the person who allegedly provided the funds.
According to Matibag, the agency decided to revisit the case after receiving new information from an individual reportedly close to one of the 18 former Marines.
“We reopened the investigation because there was an individual who is close to one of 18 Marines and knows what is happening with these 18 Marines. There was an allegation that money was paid.”
Matibag said the witness executed sworn statements on April 28 and May 6 detailing the alleged payout scheme.
“And former congressman Mike Defensor was named as the one who offered the amount of ₱5 million to be witnesses, to go out and hold press conferences.”
The NBI chief described the witness as credible, noting that the person has been living with one of the former Marines and is the partner of that Marine’s child.
Based on the testimony, Matibag said subpoenas have already been issued to one of the 18 former Marines and to Defensor to address the allegations raised during the investigation.
The NBI had previously summoned all 18 former soldiers as part of its inquiry into the matter. While all of them reportedly provided testimonies, Matibag disclosed that only five were able to formally sign their statements.
He claimed that the remaining 13 were unable to sign after their lawyer, Atty. Levito Baligod, allegedly prevented them from doing so.
Despite this, Matibag said the agency has already submitted its findings and reports to the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman.
The NBI chief explained that the emergence of the new witness and the alleged ₱5-million payment prompted authorities to reopen the investigation.
During the press briefing, Matibag also presented a video reportedly taken from social media that allegedly showed negotiations involving payments to the former soldiers.
The 18 former military personnel earlier served as resource persons during a Senate inquiry on flood control projects.
However, the hearing was later declared unauthorized by the new Senate majority, citing a leadership change in the Blue Ribbon Committee.