Rowegie Abanto

The facade of the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila on June 7, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA <strong>(2nd UPDATE) </strong> — The National Bureau of Investigation on Friday said it filed complaints against the wife and son of former lawmaker Mike Defensor over their alleged involvement in human trafficking.</p><p>The complaints were filed before the Pasig City Prosecutor&#x27;s Office, the NBI said, noting that Defensor&#x27;s wife and son were listed as owners in the articles of incorporation of a club recently raided by the agency.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/23/mahigit-50-kababaihan-nasagip-mula-sa-sex-trafficking-sa-pasig-ktv-club-1824">Mahigit 50 kababaihan nasagip mula sa sex trafficking sa Pasig KTV club</a></div><p>Julie Defensor, the former congressman&#x27;s wife, has denied the allegations against her, her daughter, and their businesses, calling them baseless and malicious.</p><p>&quot;We have absolutely no connection to the targeted establishment or its operations,&quot; she said, adding attempts to links the Defensors to the raid are &quot;a deliberate, dangerous and desperate lie.&quot;</p><p>She added her family being dragged into the incident is meant to pave the way for filing a case against her and her daughter.</p><p>Defensor said the charges are part of a &quot;relentless pattern of harassment&quot; against the family.</p><p>She also challenged NBI Director Melvin Matibag to settle any &quot;political or personal grievance&quot; with her husband directly.</p><p>&quot;Stop using me, our daughter, and hundreds of innocent, displaced workers as collateral damage in a dispute that has nothing to do with us,&quot; she said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>‘KAWAWA ‘YUNG MGA TAO’</strong></div><p>In an interview on DZMM Teleradyo, former Anakalusugan Party-List Rep. Defensor lamented the situation, adding that it is their employees who suffer from everything that’s happening.</p><p>“‘Wag naman nila idamay ‘yung pamilya. Of course ako, tanggap ko, kung mayroon silang direktang ikakaso sa akin, may nakita sila, pero, kasi ang nadadamay dito ‘yung mga tao eh,” he said.</p><p>“Parang ngayon ko lang talaga nakita ‘yung ganitong klaseng pamamalakad, ganitong klaseng estilo,” former Rep. Defensor added, reiterating his belief that the cases against his family are politically-motivated.</p><p>He also said that while he is ready for the attacks, he worries about the welfare of their employees, especially now that there is a crisis.</p><p>“Pero kapag ‘yung mga inosente, lalo’t higit ‘yung mawawalan ng trabaho ‘yung mga tao,” former Rep. Defensor said.</p><p>“Doon nga sa kumpanya namin, ‘yung sinasabi kong family corporation, nag-iyakan ‘yung asawa ko, ‘yung pamilya ko, including ‘yung senior staff, pati ‘yung mga empleyado, kasi nga krisis ngayon eh, wala na nga silang trabaho eh, tapos nadamay sila sa ganito, and nakakalungkot, dahil kawawa yung mga tao sa hirap ng buhay,” he added.</p><p>Former Rep. Defensor was in the news in March when the Commission on Elections recommended complaints against him over undeclared campaign contributions to Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/19/defensor-decries-double-standard-in-looming-election-complaint-vs-marcoleta-campaign-donors-1556">Defensor decries ‘double standard’ in Comelec decision clearing Marcoleta, ordering complaint vs donors</a></div><p>Defensor<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/28/mike-defensor-admits-helping-ex-marines-1808"> was also involved in the supposed expose</a> in February by 18 men, some of whom are former military personnel, who claim to have delivered bribes on behalf of resigned congressman Zaldy Co.</p>

<p>The National Bureau of Investigation on Friday said it filed complaints against the wife and son of former lawmaker Mike Defensor over their alleged involvement in human trafficking.</p>

The National Bureau of Investigation on Friday said it filed complaints against the wife and son of former lawmaker Mike Defensor over their alleged involvement in human trafficking.

NBI files human trafficking raps vs Mike Defensor's wife, son

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NBI files human trafficking raps vs Mike Defensor's wife, son

Zyann Ambrosio,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 24, 2026 01:44 PM PHT

|

Updated April 24, 2026 06:49 PM PHT

Read More:

Mike Defensor

Human Trafficking

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