Daven Tamayo

NBI subpoenas Leviste, Paras over alleged plot linked to human trafficking probe

Article (news)

Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has issued subpoenas to Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste and former Congressman Jacinto “Jing” Paras as part of its investigation into an alleged destabilization plot targeting a high-ranking government official that surfaced during an NBI human trafficking operation. The development stemmed from an entrapment operation conducted at a five-star hotel in Manila, where agents arrested an alleged talent manager accused of trafficking women for sexual services.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/30/talent-manager-timbog-sa-human-trafficking-2257">Talent manager timbog sa human trafficking</a></div> According to the NBI, intelligence reports indicated that the suspect had been operating as a pimp with an extensive network, allegedly offering women for sexual services for as much as P250,000 per person, with some reported clients allegedly coming from the government. NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag said: “Nakatanggap kami ng impormasyon na ang taong ito ang nagdadala ng mga babae. Hanggang sa nakapagsagawa kami ng entrapment operation. Nagdala siya ng limang babae sa isang five-star hotel at doon namin siya inaresto.” As the investigation progressed, the NBI said it uncovered not only alleged human trafficking but also what it described as a broader effort to discredit senior government officials. &quot;Habang iniimbestigahan namin sila, doon lumabas na hindi lang pala si Executive Secretary ang target. Plano raw nilang gamitin ang grupong ito para sa character assassination,&quot; Matibag said.“Sasabihin daw na si Executive Secretary kumukuha doon sa bugaw na ito. Tapos pipilitin daw silang mag-droga at magkaroon ng mga sexual activities. Pero umamin naman itong babae na hindi niya kilala si Executive Secretary at hindi niya ito nakakasama,” he added. According to the NBI, one of the rescued victims identified individuals allegedly involved in the purported destabilization plot. “Noong nagkuwento na ang mga iniimbestigahan, doon na lumabas ang istorya na na-involve si dating Congressman Jing Paras. Ayon din sa kanilang mga pahayag, si Congressman Leandro Leviste umano ang magpopondo sa malaking halagang gagamitin sa plano,” Matibag said. The NBI said it will require both Leviste and Paras to appear before investigators. Matibag said: “Kailangan silang magbigay-linaw sa mga lumabas sa pahayag ng mga iniimbestigahan. Mahirap naman kung sa social media lang itatanggi ang mga alegasyon.” In a social media post, Leviste denied any involvement. “May mataas na opisyal ng gobyerno na tila nambabae. Wala akong kinalaman doon. Naging defensive at nagpakalat siya ng fake news. Pero biglang dinelete,&quot; he claimed.Leviste later issued a similar statement.&quot;Wala akong kinalaman sa umano’y pambababae ni Recto,&quot; he said. &quot;Mapatutunayang hindi ko kailanman nakausap ang sinuman sa mga taong ito—mas mabuting si Recto ang tanungin kung kilala niya sila,&quot; he alleged.Paras also denied the allegations, saying: “Yung kumakalat na akusasyon tungkol sa akin na involve daw ako o may kinalaman daw ako sa paggawa ng kwento para siraan ang isang top official of the government ay pawang kasinungalingan. Wala pong katotohanan ’yan. Sa tamang panahon, sasagutin ko ang lahat at patutunayan kong gawa-gawa lamang ito para siraan ako dahil sa politika.”In a separate statement, Paras’ legal counsel, Atty. Mark Kristopher Tolentino rejected the allegations against his client, describing the circulating affidavit as containing “untested allegations” that have yet to undergo due process.He argued that the affidavit raises questions about its integrity and that accusations must be supported by competent and independent evidence before they can be given evidentiary weight.Tolentino also questioned the credibility of the affiants cited in the investigation, warning that the publication and online dissemination of unverified allegations may expose responsible parties to potential legal liability, and maintained that no competent evidence has been presented showing that Paras committed any punishable offense.The lawyer further disputed descriptions of the allegations as a “destabilization plot,” calling them “the farthest from the truth” and arguing they are intended for political persecution. He said Paras remains presumed innocent under the Constitution and that the legal team is evaluating possible civil, criminal, and administrative remedies against those responsible for what they described as the malicious publication and dissemination of defamatory materials.ABS-CBN News has sought the comment of Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and is awaiting his response. Meanwhile, the NBI has applied for a cyber warrant to examine the contents of the suspect’s cellphone and validate statements made by the rescued victims. According to the bureau, investigators are examining communications related to both the alleged human trafficking operation and the suspected character assasination or destabilization plot.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has issued subpoenas to Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste and former Ccngressman Jacinto “Jing” Paras as part of its investigation into an alleged destabilization plot targeting a high-ranking government official.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has issued subpoenas to Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste and former Ccngressman Jacinto “Jing” Paras as part of its investigation into an alleged destabilization plot targeting a high-ranking government official.