National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Melvin Matibag rejected claims that the raid conducted on a nightclub and a hotel in Pasig City was politically-motivated as the establishments are reportedly owned by the family of a former lawmaker who is vocal against the Marcos administration.

Matibag said the raid stemmed from confirmed reports of suspected human trafficking activities in the establishments, adding that due diligence was observed in the conduct of operations that include coordination with the local government units down to the barangay level and the use of body-worn cameras.

“This is a legitimate operation and it was him (former congressman Mike Defensor) who has been leading this to politics,” said Matibag in a news forum in Quezon City.

Matibag said the natural reaction by Defensor would have been to express gratitude to the NBI for finding out the establishments they own are being used for illegal activities.

He said the camp of Defensor was the one that brought the issue of politics.

Defensor has been very vocal against President Marcos and was seen leading protest actions and activities against the present administration.

He was dragged into the controversy after the NBI found out that his wife and son were the registered owners of the establishments where human trafficking activities were allegedly done.

“Corporate records obtained in the course of the investigation indicate that the registered owners of the establishment are the wife and son of former Congressman Mike Defensor,” the NBI said in a statement.

“The NBI emphasizes that this information is part of the ongoing investigation and does not, by itself, establish criminal liability. All persons concerned are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law,” it added.

In a separate statement, Defensor’s wife Julie denied the allegations, saying they have no connection to the raided establishments.

“I address Atty. Matibag directly: if you have a political or personal grievance with Mike, have the courage to resolve it with him directly. Stop using me, our daughter, and hundreds of innocent, displaced workers as collateral damage in a dispute that has nothing to do with us,” she said.

“Because of these political attacks, approximately 1,000 hardworking employees across various companies have abruptly lost their jobs- simply due to a perceived association with my husband, Mike. These are 1,000 families stripped of their livelihoods in the middle of a crisis. It is unconscionable that innocent workers are being sacrificed as pawns in someone else's political vendetta,” she added.

But Matibag stood by the operation “ in defense of NBI personnel who are just doing their job”

For one, NBI could not be faulted on this issue since the agency was not the one who listed Defensor’s wife and child as owners of the establishments.

“They were saying 1,000 employees lost their jobs as a result but let us not take advantage of our poor kababayan to put them in a position of engaging in illegal activities,” said Matibag.

Based on the NBI report, the operation was conducted by the Special Task Group after receiving intelligence information regarding the alleged recruitment and exploitation of women for sexual services.

It said surveillance and case build-up operations confirmed that the establishments were facilitating a systematic scheme of sexual exploitation.

Investigators established that customers were initially entertained inside Chicago Nightclub, where women were presented through a “line-up” system. Once a customer made a selection, the parties were then brought to rooms at Bleu Hotel, where the sexual services were allegedly consummated.

“Evidence gathered during the operation indicates that transactions ranged from approximately ₱5,000 to ₱15,000 per encounter, depending on the arrangement, with portions of the payment allegedly distributed among facilitators, managers, and other individuals involved,” the NBI said.

Those arrested, including managers, officers, facilitators, and customers are now facing charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act), and Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).