Bato hiding in a yacht? NBI checking

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation is validating information circulating on social media that Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is hiding aboard a yacht bound for a province, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters, Matibag said authorities are treating the information with caution, noting that false leads could be intended to misdirect law enforcement personnel searching for the senator.

“We are still checking that report. I have not seen it yet. We have to be careful because it is possible that somebody is trying to mislead us,” Matibag said.

Despite the reports, Matibag said he believes Dela Rosa is still in the country.

“We believe he is still here. It would be more difficult for him if he leaves,” he said. “There are about 122 countries that are members of the ICC, and almost all countries have obligations to Interpol, so it would be more difficult for him.”

The NBI is also pursuing its investigation into allegations that former congressman Mike Defensor promised money to 18 mostly former soldiers who faced the Senate to talk about alleged flood control anomalies.

Matibag urged Defensor to answer the allegations and comply with the subpoena issued by the NBI.

“If Mike Defensor wants to shed light on the matter, then he should face it. If he has nothing to hide, he should answer the allegations,” Matibag said.

Defensor, however, denied allegations that he bribed the 18 with P5 million each, describing the accusation as based on hearsay.

Matibag clarified on One News’ “Storycon” yesterday that the P5 million was not a bribe and that only a small portion was given.

Don’t call them ex-Marines

The Armed Forces of the Philippines appealed yesterday to stop referring to the 18 as ex-Marines, saying the label may create a misleading impression about involvement of the AFP and the Marine Corps.

In a public notice, AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the 18 did not all belong to the Marines and were no longer in the active service during the events under discussion.

The AFP urged the media to refer to the 18 by their names instead.— Janvic Mateo, Artemio Dumlao