The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Saturday debunked claims by former congressman Mike Defensor that its probe into a Chicago KTV establishment in a Pasig night club is politically motivated.

Speaking at the Saturday News Forum, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the agency’s work should not be framed as political, stressing that its mandate is to investigate and prosecute violations of the law.

“He [Mike Defensor] said that the NBI is only dealing with politics,” Matibag noted, rejecting the claim.

Based on the NBI’s initial investigation, the Chicago KTV establishment was linked to Defensor’s family, particularly his wife and son, as shown in corporate records obtained by the bureau.

Matibag said there were several reports that the KTV had become a hotspot for prostitution and illegal drug use.

In response, the NBI conducted surveillance operations at the establishment and found indications of human trafficking activities inside the night club.

“We sent our assets to personally verify if such activities were really happening. When the reports were confirmed positive, showing violations of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law and the Dangerous Drugs Law, we conducted an operation on Tuesday,” Matibag said.

He added that investigators found elements of human trafficking present in the establishment.

Matibag, however, noted that based on interviews, Defensor appeared to be aware of the operations.

“He even said, ‘There are many other clubs there, why is only this one being targeted? This is politics,’” Matibag said, implying that the former lawmaker had knowledge of alleged illegal activities in multiple clubs.