NBI looks for more possible extort victims after arrest of PGMN founder

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is looking into other possible victims in the alleged extortion case involving Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta.

In a report by Inquirer.net, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said several government officials and private individuals have come forward with similar accounts, prompting authorities to widen the investigation and apply for a cyber warrant to examine seized mobile phones and other digital evidence.

He said the move aims to identify possible additional victims and trace communications linked to the alleged extortion scheme.

Mabanta was arrested on May 6 for allegedly demanding money from former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in exchange for withholding a supposed corruption video.

Mabanta and PGMN have denied the allegations, saying they were “set up” and insisting no extortion took place.

The camp of Romualdez, meanwhile, maintained that the lawmaker only reported the matter to authorities, stressing that the issue is about alleged extortion and not press freedom.(Rodgelyn Morales, CTU-TC BAEL-ELSD Intern)

• Tags
• #National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
• #Melvin Matibag
• #Franco Mabanta
• #Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN)
• #Martin Romualdez
• #cyber warrant
• #digital evidence
• #extortion allegations
• #Philippine cybercrime investigation
• #seized mobile phones
• #NBI probe exp