Nelson Morales

Robin Padilla grills Lotoc on promotions, ‘Operation Romanov’

Article (news)

Marilyn Cahatol

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Senator-Judge Robin Padilla on Tuesday questioned National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc over his promotions in the agency and the &quot;Operation Romanov&quot; during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. </p><p>Lotoc now heads the NBI Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). He headed the NBI’s Cybercrime Division when Duterte made the alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.</p><p>“Yun po ba ay isang promosyon sa inyo na madala sa BARMM dahil totoo po ba na kayo ang tinatawag na &#x27;golden boy&#x27; ngayon sa NBI?” Padilla asked. </p><p>Lotoc responded: “I cannot comment on that po, Your Honor.”</p><p>Lotoc said he served as the regional director of the Mimaropa region before being transferred to BARMM. </p><p>“Bakit po kaya naisip ng director na sa BARMM po kayo? Kayo po ba ay may kaalaman sa Islam?” Padilla — a Muslim — further asked. </p><p>“Hindi ko po alam ano ang naging basis ng director,” Lotoc said. </p><p>“Kahit naman ho sino pwedeng i-assign kahit saang regional office dito sa Pilipinas,” Lotoc added.</p><p>Padilla argued that BARMM is an autonomous region and that Lotoc “should have at least a little knowledge about Islam.”</p><p>The senator-judge also asked the witness if a case had been filed against him, to which Lotoc answered: “Your Honor, normal ho sa mga NBI agents na makasuhan. In fact, maging sa sino mang law enforcement agency. That’s the price we pay for doing our job and protecting the country.”</p><p>Lotoc said although he had seen a case against him, he is yet to receive a letter from the Office of the Ombudsman related to the case. </p><p>Padilla then asked Lotoc if he is aware of the historical context of the “<a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/13/duterte-defense-team-to-present-witness-to-prove-operation-romanov-exists-1458">Operation Romanov</a>,” the supposed plot to execute Duterte and her family, which the defense team also cited in its earlier statement.</p><p>“Batid naman po nating lahat na si Apo Lakay, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., ang number 1 na lumaban sa komunista dito sa Pilipinas. Batid naman din po natin na ang nag-execute sa Tsar, kay Nicholas, sa kanyang mga anak, sa kanyang pamilya ay ang komunista,” Padilla said. </p><p>He said the second president to fight against communism is former president Rodrigo Duterte. </p><p>“Hindi ba po dapat isipin natin na yung Romanov ay tungkol sa threat na pumapasok sa mga pamilya ng mga namumuno dito sa ating bayan na mga komunista?” Padilla said.</p><p>“Komunista po ako, gusto ko lamang pong alamin niyo,” Padilla added. </p><p>Lotoc explained that the NBI has taken into consideration the supposed “Operation Romanov,” but only the director may answer inquiries related to it. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/9/palace-says-operation-romanov-no-justification-for-duterte-s-alleged-threat-vs-marcos-1553">Palace says ‘Operation Romanov’ no justification for Duterte’s alleged threat vs Marcos</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>WATCH:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iVlGJrfvFXM?si=-fP2xp7R5EcrEBNt" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Senator-Judge Robin Padilla on Tuesday questioned National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc over his promotions in the agency during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.</p>

Senator-Judge Robin Padilla on Tuesday questioned National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc over his promotions in the agency during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.