National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director for Regional Operations Atty. Antonio Pagatpat vehemently condemns the Opinion written by the Pilipino Star Ngayon writer Non Alquitran entitled ” Tira Pasok sa mga Pasugalan” on June 19, 2022 for implicating him in the illegal “Peryahan” operations in the Province of Albay and the arrest of a Manila POGO  operator.
In a statement released by Dep. Dir. Atty. Pagatpat, the condemnation is due to the “inaccuracy and falsity in the material facts raised”.
He said that the First, Peryahan ng Bayan Games (PNB) was previously “denied by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte from continuing its operations” where PCSO Acting General Manager Royina Garma requested the NBI to conduct law enforcement assistance against illegal gambling operators in the Province of Albay.
Atty. Pagatpat clarified that he is not the team leader in the NBI operation with a certain “alias Pagatpat” as he is based in Manila. He also said that he is not among the NBI agents who conducted law enforcement operations against PNB games in Albay.
He also clarified that “the NBI never asked nor collected money from illegal gambling operators as claimed in the news opinion” He added that the NBI apprehended 29 persons and were presented for inquest proceedings before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Albay under NPS Docket No. V-08L-INQ-22F-00054 for illegal gambling under PD No. 1602 as amended by Rep Act No. 9287 providing stiffer penalties for the same. The inquest prosecutor found probable cause that the crime was indeed committed by the respondents and filed the same in court. The filing of the criminal case in court will require respondents to post their respective bails in court for their temporary liberty.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director for Regional Operations Atty. Pagatpat also said that the NBI implementation of a search warrant against POGO Operator Willy King  in Manila in May 2022 was conducted by the NBI-Cyber Crime Division, which is not under his control and supervision,
The statement said that “while the NBI recognizes the freedom of the press, the media should at least give the NBI an opportunity to comment, in the interest of accuracy and fair play, before the opinion was published”
Finally, Dep. Dir., for Regional Operations Atty. Pagatpat said that “this opinion stains my long record of clean and transparent service to the Bureau and to the Filipino people. Necessary action must me has done to serve asj a lesson to corrupt NBI agents and to those who engage in irresponsible reporting”
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