NBI Laoag District Office

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE | NBI NABS FOUR INDIVIDUALS FOR SELLING UNREGISTERED HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS

The NBI - BATAAN DISTRICT OFFICE (BATADO) arrested One (1) Chinese National, and Three (3) Filipinos in two (2) separate establishments in the Province of Bataan for Violation of R.A. 9711 (Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009).

The case stemmed from intelligence report relayed by a confidential informant, that certain establishments from the Province of Bataan are into selling and distributing unregistered Household Aerosol Insecticide, considered as Household/Urban Hazardous Substance.

Acting on the information, a test-buy was conducted by NBI-BATADO Agents. Thereafter, said products were submitted to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for product verification. Through Certification, the FDA confirmed that the subject product of test-buy were indeed unregistered.

In this connection, on May 26, 2026, a joint Entrapment and Inspection Operations were conducted by NBI-BATADO and the Food-Drug Regulation Officers from FDA Regulatory Enforcement Unit - North Luzon Cluster, Region III, against two (2) separate establishments in Orani and Abucay, Bataan.

The entrapment (buy-bust) operation resulted to the arrest of Four (4) individuals and seizure of various Unregistered Household/Urban Hazardous Products, with an estimated value of more or less Php 120,000.00.

Following the operation, arrested individuals were presented before the Office of Provincial Prosecutor - Bataan, for inquest proceedings for Violations under Republic Act 3720 otherwise known as "The Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act", as amended by Republic Act 9711 known as "The Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009"

02/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE | NBI EXTRADITES R**E SUSPECT FROM BAHRAIN

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), through its International Operations Division (IOD), successfully facilitated the extradition and arrest of a fugitive wanted for two (2) counts of r**e following coordinated efforts with international law enforcement authorities and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

The subject who has a Warrant of Arrest issued by Branch 5, Family Court, Fourth Judicial Region, Trece Martires City, Cavite, was charged with two (2) counts of R**e under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 8353, otherwise known as the Anti-R**e Law of 1997.

Upon the request of the complainant, the NBI-International Operations Division initiated the process for the inclusion of the subject in the INTERPOL Red Notice List. Consequently, INTERPOL published the Red Notice against the subject on January 27, 2026.

The Philippine Center for Transnational Crime (PCTC) subsequently informed the NBI that the subject had been arrested in the Kingdom of Bahrain. On April 16, 2026, the PCTC relayed an official communication from INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Bahrain confirming that the extradition of the subject had been approved by the judicial authorities of Bahrain.

Following the approval, an NBI es**rt team was dispatched to Bahrain from May 18 to 21, 2026 to facilitate the transfer and return of the fugitive to Philippine jurisdiction.

Upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 at approximately 11:54 a.m. on May 21, 2026, the subject was formally arrested by NBI-IOD operatives and informed of his constitutional rights. He was thereafter brought to the NBI for standard booking procedures, including fingerprinting, photography, and medical examination.

On the same date, the subject was turned over to the Bureau's detention facility at Building 14, New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City, pending further proceedings before the court.

The successful extradition underscores the NBI's continuing commitment to pursuing fugitives beyond Philippine borders and ensuring that individuals facing criminal charges are brought before the courts to answer for the offenses imputed against them. The Bureau likewise recognizes the invaluable assistance of INTERPOL, the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime, and the authorities of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the successful return of the subject to the Philippines.

29/05/2026

29/05/2026

THROWBACK CASE THURSDAY:
NBI AND THE FALL OF THE “BIG FOUR” SYNDICATE IN THE 1960s

PASAY CITY, Philippines — As part of its continuing “Throwback Case Thursday” historical feature series, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), revisits one of the Bureau’s most significant anti-organized crime operations in Philippine history — the neutralization of the notorious “Big Four Syndicate” during the 1960s.

At the height of its influence, the syndicate allegedly operated a widespread criminal network involved in extortion, kidnapping, intimidation, and protection rackets that infiltrated portions of the entertainment industry and various sectors in Metro Manila. The syndicate’s reach was so extensive that even prominent movie personalities reportedly lived under fear and intimidation.

Recognizing the growing threat posed by organized criminal groups, then NBI Director Jose G. Lukban spearheaded the formation of a highly specialized task force known as the “Untouchables” — an elite group of NBI agents carefully selected for their integrity, discipline, investigative competence, and resistance to corruption and intimidation.

The task force became instrumental in conducting covert intelligence operations, witness protection activities, and strategic investigations aimed at dismantling the syndicate’s criminal network.

Among the notable developments during the operation was the decision of movie personalities Joseph “Erap” Estrada and Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) to cooperate with authorities after years of alleged extortion and harassment. Historical accounts indicate that NBI agents provided security and protective assistance to key personalities willing to testify and share information against the syndicate.

The Bureau also investigated violent incidents linked to the criminal organization, including gang-related shootings connected to personalities operating within the entertainment sector during that period.

The turning point of the operation came in 1962 following the kidnapping case involving businessman Chua Pao. Through extensive field investigation, intelligence gathering, evidence documentation, and coordinated law enforcement operations, the NBI was able to build strong criminal cases against key syndicate figures and associates.

The successful prosecution and conviction of major members of the “Big Four” effectively crippled the organization’s operational structure and marked a significant victory against organized crime in the country.

The operation likewise became a defining chapter in the institutional history of the NBI and further strengthened public confidence in the Bureau’s capability to investigate complex criminal organizations despite external influence and intimidation.

The “Untouchables” era also helped shape future generations of investigators and reinforced the Bureau’s enduring commitment to professionalism, integrity, and fearless law enforcement.

28/05/2026

IN PHOTOS | NBI Laoag Mobile Clearance

The NBI Laoag District Office supported the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte - Public Employment Service Office (PGIN-PESO) by deploying the NBI Mobile Clearance Service in their "IN Fresh Graduates: The Driving Force of Innovation and Development" Job Fair for graduating students on May 22, 2026 at the Provincial Capitol Auditorium and on May 25, 2026 at Robinsons Ilocos.

27/05/2026

PRESS RELEASE | NBI-PAMDO BUSTS ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING HUB IN ANGELES CITY

In a decisive crackdown against cyber-enabled illegal gambling operations, operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation - Pampanga District Office (NBI-PAMDO), under the supervision of NBI Director Atty Melvin A. Matibag, successfully served and implemented a Warrant to Search, Seize and Examine Computer Data (WSSED) on May 21, 2026 one (1) individual and/or the occupants of a village in Santo Cristo, Angeles City, Pampanga.

The operation stemmed from intelligence information received by NBI-PAMDO indicating that the subject was allegedly operating unauthorized online gambling platforms that victimized bettors through deceptive schemes. Reports revealed that players were initially allowed to participate and accumulate winnings, only for their accounts to later be frozen, thereby preventing them from cashing out their earnings. Verification conducted with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) further confirmed that the subject and the online casino platforms involved were operating without the necessary licenses.

Acting on the information, Agents of NBI-PAMDO applied for and were subsequently granted Search Warrant by the Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 81, Malolos City, Bulacan, for Online Gambling under Presidential Decree No. 1602 or "Prescribing Stiffer Penalties on Illegal Gambling" in relation to Republic Act No. 10175, otherwise known as the "Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012".

At the time and place of apprehension, the operatives personally witnessed the subjects actively engaged in the conduct of illegal online gambling activities in flagrante delicto. The subjects were caught administering and managing an unlicensed online betting platform, facilitating wagers, operating gambling software, and collecting and disbursing gambling proceeds representing winnings and losses.

Following the operation, six (6) individuals, including the Subject, were presented for inquest proceedings before the Angeles City Prosecutor's Office for the above-mentioned violations.
The NBI reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against cyber-enabled illegal activities and warned the public against participating in unauthorized online gambling platforms that exploit and defraud unsuspecting bettors.