Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Jonathan Magistrado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778382041619Screen Shot 2026-05-10 at 7.45.52 AM (3).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested social media personality Franco Mabanta for allegedly extorting money from a lawmaker.<em> 📷༘  Zyann Ambrosio, ABS-CBN News</em><br/></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Following the temporary release of Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) CEO Franco Mabanta on bail, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) revealed a surge in calls and messages from other individuals claiming to be victims of the group’s extortion activities.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/9/franco-mabanta-posts-bail-1337">Franco Mabanta posts bail</a></div><p>According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, since news broke regarding Mabanta&#x27;s arrest in a high-profile entrapment operation, several personalities and former officials have reached out to report that they experienced similar harassment and extortion from the group.</p><p>During an interview on PRTV Prime Media&#x27;s Kwatro Alas program, Matibag shared the volume of feedback the bureau has received since the Mabanta&#x27;s arrest.</p><p>&quot;Ito seryoso. No&#x27;ng nabalita &#x27;yong pagkaaresto ni Franco Mabanta walang biro, tawag at text mga 200 yung tumawag na trying to insinuate na may nangyari din sa kanila. Hindi diretso, sinasabi &#x27;buti naman gawain talaga nila yan&#x27;,&quot; Matibag stated.</p><p>Matibag also clarified that while Mabanta and four others were allowed to post bail, the investigation remains in full swing. He emphasized that the NBI has retained critical evidence.</p><p>&quot;Sila lang &#x27;yong ire-release. We will be in continuing possession of the gadgets na nakuha namin sa kanila. Those form part ng ebidensiya na gagamitin namin. Ang NBI can access, so, malalaman namin,&quot; the NBI director added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PGMN&#x27;S ANCHORS, OFFICIALS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The bureau’s radar will now expand to include the PGMN&#x27;s anchors and other officials to determine the extent of the alleged racket. Matibag warned that the forensic examination of seized gadgets could implicate more individuals.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s a continuing investigation, &#x27;yon nga po &#x27;yon we can not give so much details but once na mabuksan namin &#x27;yong telepono tsaka mga magtestify, so maaaring may mga ibang personalities pa na madamay,&quot; Matibag explained.</p><p>He further noted, &quot;Nag-iimbestiga pa kami, so I cannot say with certainty, but there&#x27;s a real big possibility na may makakasama pang makakasuhan.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>FORMER SOLON TO FILE COMPLAINT </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>In light of these developments, Matibag reiterated his call to the public to set aside fear and file formal complaints. He revealed that a former lawmaker has already signaled intent to cooperate.</p><p>&quot;Actually may isa pang kongresista dati na nagpaabot na magpapadala sa amin ng sulat to make a formal complaint. Gan&#x27;on din po iyong nature,&quot; he said.</p><p>As part of a deeper investigation, the NBI is set to scrutinize the financial activities of PGMN. The probe aims to determine if there was a &quot;unity of action&quot; within the network and if extortion had become a systematic practice using their platform.</p><p>&quot;Sisilipin namin. We&#x27;ll look [at] the activities nila, pati financial activities, ano bang binabayad sa BIR. Sino ba advertiser niyo? Bakit nasu-survive n&#x27;yo ng ganyan?&quot; Matibag asked.</p><p>Mabanta and four others were arrested last week after allegedly demanding P300 million from a victim in exchange for withholding a damaging documentary. The group is currently facing charges of Robbery Extortion and violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IPF4w6kH-c8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yAod6-miwFE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The National Bureau of Investigation revealed a surge in calls and messages from other individuals claiming to be victims of Franco Mabanta's group’s alleged extortion activities.</p>

The National Bureau of Investigation revealed a surge in calls and messages from other individuals claiming to be victims of Franco Mabanta's group’s alleged extortion activities.

More 'extortion victims' linked to Franco Mabanta, group coming forward—NBI

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More 'extortion victims' linked to Franco Mabanta, group coming forward—NBI

Jonathan Magistrado,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 10, 2026 11:12 AM PHT

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Franco Mabanta

Peanut Gallery Media Network

PGMN

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