Tarlac NBI office disarmed over alleged extortion attempt

Eight officials and field agents of the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) Tarlac District Office were relieved of duty Tuesday following allegations of extortion and sexual harassment stemming from an operation against a local business.

NBI director Melvin Matibag announced the relief during a news conference at the agency’s headquarters in Pasay, saying that the entire personnel complement of the Tarlac office — including its chief — has been recalled and reassigned pending an internal inquiry.

“We will not tolerate that,” Matibag said. “That is why the entire office, whether involved or not, was recalled and replaced with other personnel.”

Report disclosed that the personnel were ordered to report to the main office for administrative and criminal investigations.

The disciplinary action arose from a raid conducted by Tarlac agents against a local beauty clinic. According to Matibag, the establishment was a legitimate small business with authorized personnel on site.

Undercover agents allegedly pressured an unqualified nursing student at the clinic to perform a cosmetic injection. Once the student complied, agents declared an entrapment operation.

Matibag said agents subsequently demanded a cash payment from a female co-owner of the clinic to drop the charges. When she could not produce the money, agents allegedly solicited sexual favors.

“You are not just corrupt, you are also immoral,” Matibag said, condemning the alleged actions.

Matibag acknowledged that the victim’s family hesitates to file formal charges due to fear of reprisal, but stressed that internal affairs investigators will proceed with the case based on operational records and initial evidence.