Marilyn Cahatol

Members of the #Brave18, together with Mike Defensor, face members of the media during an interview session at Valle Verde Country Club on March 5, 2026, where they addressed recent developments surrounding their case, shared personal accounts, and answered questions from journalists regarding ongoing issues and public concerns. The group emphasized their call for accountability, transparency, and due process as they continue to seek justice and public understanding of their situation. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

18 EX MARINES- MIKE DEFENSOR

Adrian Ayalin

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/1782454848661729747037_1439013744918014_5494775648879886060_n (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of the #Brave18, together with Mike Defensor, face members of the media during an interview session at Valle Verde Country Club on March 5, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Former lawmaker Mike Defensor said he will face the qualified human trafficking charges to be filed by the National Bureau of Investigation over his supposed ties to a KTV bar and a hotel allegedly used for <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/28/pasig-issues-closure-order-vs-hotel-supposedly-owned-by-mike-defensor-over-alleged-trafficking-1257">human trafficking.</a></p><p>But Defensor stressed there is no strong evidence against him as the owner of the building where the bar and hotel are located.</p><p>“Kasi nga kami ang may-ari ng building, marami kaming lessor, I think about 20 lessors, ni hindi naman ako ang nagma-manage ng building so yung 20 lessors na iyon, kung anuman iyong activity nila hindi mo naman alam, biglang kunyari doon pala sa isang opisina nagbebenta ng droga, hindi naman kami sakop noon at hindi kami involved sa ganoon,” Defensor said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/24/nbi-to-file-raps-vs-mike-defensor-over-bar-raid-1157">NBi to file raps against Mike Defensor over human trafficking</a></div><p>Defensor was at the Department of Justice on Friday to file his rejoinder for the cyberlibel complaint filed against him by former senator Antonio Trillanes.</p><p>Defensor stressed that the non-bailable human trafficking accusation thrown by NBI director Melvin Matibag is only meant to jail him and silence him as the handler of the 18 ex-bodyguards of former congressman Zaldy Co.</p><p>“Talagang nanggigipit nang husto ang NBI, hindi ang NBI as an institution but ang NBI being used as a weapon by Atty. Melvin Matibag, siya talaga ang nagtutulak niyan, at siyempre ang gusto niya gipitin ang aking pamilya, gipitin kami, patahimikin kami,” Defensor said.</p><p>Defensor said various agencies of the government should ferret out the truth as he dismissed the recent cyberlibel complaint filed by Trillanes against the 18 as well as Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Rodante Marcoleta.</p><p>“Parang hindi tama dahil dapat malaya nating malaman ang katotohanan, malaya nating malaman kung ano ang sinasabi ng marines at imbestigahan, ang nangyayari tulad ngayon nahinto na naman dahil nagpalit nga ng liderato  ang Blue Ribbon Committee, wala na naman,” Defensor said.</p><p>Defensor also said he will be joining the anti-corruption rally to be held by various religious groups on June 28.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/10/mike-defensor-s-lawyer-sees-pattern-of-harassment-in-nbi-subpoenas-1353">Mike Defensor’s lawyer sees ‘pattern of harassment’ in NBI subpoenas</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6pi8FsWQG5o?si=u1Xi6aHZr2dwIIiB" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Former lawmaker Mike Defensor said he will face the qualified human trafficking charges to be filed by the National Bureau of Investigation over his supposed ties to a KTV bar and a hotel allegedly used for <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/28/pasig-issues-closure-order-vs-hotel-supposedly-owned-by-mike-defensor-over-alleged-trafficking-1257">human trafficking.</a></p>

Former lawmaker Mike Defensor said he will face the qualified human trafficking charges to be filed by the National Bureau of Investigation over his supposed ties to a KTV bar and a hotel allegedly used for human trafficking.

Defensor says ready to face human trafficking charges over ties to KTV bar

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Defensor says ready to face human trafficking charges over ties to KTV bar

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 26, 2026 02:23 PM PHT

Read More:

18 marines

Mike Defensor

KTV bar

human trafficking

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