THE National Bureau of Investigation-Southern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI–Semro) is planning to file a complaint against those who brought out a story that the bureau extracted P500,000 from a businessman after a raid in Davao City.
NBI-Semro director Arnold Rosales, who is still on vacation leave since Friday, said that he is going to file a libel case against the news agency who brought out the story and the one who released the video footage without his side.
In a closed-circuit television footage, Rosales was seen holding a package believed to be containing the P500,000 while walking towards the coffee shop of SPA Salon, followed by lawyer Ralph Falcutila.
"[We are going to file a libel case] this week. Mag-uusap na muna kami [ng mga kasama ko] pagbalik ko sa Davao City bukas (Tuesday)," said Rosales, who earlier denied the accusation hurled against him and his personnel in the bureau.
Charges were already filed last week before the Davao City Prosecutor's Office against the owner of the bar and his floor manager, following their arrest in a raid conducted by NBI in a bar on Cabaguio Avenue last August 7.
The accused Miguel Efren Rodriguez Aquino, owner of the bar and resident of the same place; and his floor manager Alfreda Omambing Maghari, are facing charges for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
NBI-Semro, in its affidavit, attested that an intelligence report reached the bureau that the bar was into prostitution. The bureau conducted the raid after they investigated and verified the complaint.
NBI-Semro personnel proceeded to the bar on Cabaguio Avenue in Agdao District after they have coordinated with Sta. Ana Police Station at 8 p.m.
Three operatives acted as customers, while others positioned around the area.
Inside the bar, the three operatives ordered bottles of beer and requested that they be placed in a VIP room. A man then escorted them to the VIP 1 room. The operatives requested the manager for a group of girls be shown to them.
While the operatives were drinking, the girls offered themselves for sex services for a fee, of which the operatives agreed. A girl then called the manager to collect the fees. NBI-Davao lawyer Glenn Damasing handed the marked money.
After the money was handed over, the girls undressed and did what they offered.
This resulted to the arrest of the bar owner and manager. They were accompanied to NBI-Semro at Magsaysay Park for booking and fingerprint procedures.
The two girls executed an affidavit attesting to what the NBI said.
The girls said the price agreed on was P7,500, which the manager collected.
