NBI Nabs Foreign National In Bold Bribery Attempt For Clearance

NBI Director Atty. Melvin A. Matibag

NBI Nabs Foreign National In Bold Bribery Attempt For Clearance

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | April 10, 2026

PASAY CITY, Philippines – In a powerful demonstration of its commitment to integrity and justice, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Ilocos Regional Office (NBI-IRO) has apprehended an Indian national in a meticulously executed entrapment operation for attempting to corrupt public officials. The arrest, made on April 6, 2026, sends a clear message that the NBI remains a bulwark against bribery and illicit influence.

The events began on March 17, 2026, when the suspect presented himself at the NBI-IRO Clearance Section to apply for an NBI Clearance. During the routine processing, a critical “WITH HIT” status flagged his application. This alert signaled a potential criminal record or a namesake requiring urgent verification.

Investigators informed the applicant that his name was linked to a derogatory record – specifically, a pending warrant for rape from the Regional Trial Court of Capiz. Despite his denial, the suspect was advised to secure a court clearance and a certified document confirming he was not the individual implicated in the serious crime.

However, weeks later, the suspect approached the Officer-in-Charge of the clearance section, making an inquiry regarding the monetary sum required for the immediate release of his NBI Clearance. This attempt to circumvent due process and corrupt a public official triggered an immediate response from the NBI-IRO.

NBI agents organized a precision entrapment operation. The suspect was arrested while attempting to tender the illicit bribe money, caught red-handed in violation of Article 212 (Corruption of Public Officials) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

The NBI-IRO has formally filed charges against the apprehended individual for this violation. Furthermore, the NBI-IRO is coordinating with the NBI-Capiz District Office to verify the suspect’s identity and determine if he is indeed the person facing the pending rape case before the Regional Trial Court of Capiz, adding another layer of potential accountability.

NBI Director Atty. Melvin A. Matibag lauded the agents of the NBI-IRO for their diligence, rapid response, and the successful execution of this arrest. Director Matibag reiterated the agency’s adherence to ethical governance, asserting that the NBI operates with dedication to incorruptibility and the pursuit of justice.

He assured the public of the NBI’s resolve to uphold the highest ethical standards in all its operations, reinforcing the agency’s role as a guardian against corruption.