MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed serious criminal charges against the wife and son of former Representative Mike Defensor following a high-profile raid on a Pasig City establishment. The charges, which include violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have sparked a heated exchange between the family and NBI leadership.
While the NBI maintains the operation was a legitimate rescue mission, Julie Defensor has slammed the move as a “malicious” political attack designed to harass her husband.
On April 21, 2026, NBI agents conducted an entrapment and rescue operation at the Bleu Hotel, an establishment allegedly owned by Zerrin Development Corp. According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, the operation uncovered the following:
- Sexual Exploitation: Agents rescued 54 female victims who were purportedly recruited as “customer care assistants” but were instead subjected to sexual acts for a fee of ₱15,000.
- Drug Den Discovery: Illegal drugs were reportedly recovered from the premises, leading agents to describe the site as a makeshift “drug den.”
- Ownership Links: Corporate records allegedly identify Julie Defensor as the Chairperson and Miguel Defensor (the former congressman’s son) as the Treasurer of Zerrin Development Corp.
In a strongly worded statement, Julie Defensor denied any involvement in the hotel’s day-to-day operations and categorized the NBI’s claims as “deliberate lies.”
- Denial of Connection: “We have absolutely no connection to the targeted establishment or its operations,” she asserted, claiming the link is an attempt to smear the family name.
- Political Harassment: Julie addressed Director Matibag directly, suggesting the operation stems from a “political or personal grievance” against Mike Defensor.
- Collateral Damage: She noted that the “political attacks” have led to the abrupt job loss of approximately 1,000 employees across various companies perceived to be associated with her husband.
Director Matibag has dismissed the “politically motivated” label, stating that the focus of the NBI remains the protection of the 54 rescued victims.
- Evidence-Based: Matibag claimed that the connection to the Defensors was only discovered after the raid, once corporate documents were examined during the processing of the site.
- Broader Context: The NBI recently subpoenaed Mike Defensor in March 2026 regarding separate allegations concerning kickbacks from flood control projects, adding another layer of tension between the bureau and the former lawmaker.
The NBI filed the formal complaints at the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday. Alongside Julie and Miguel Defensor, 24 other individuals—including hotel managers, facilitators, and customers caught in the act—are also facing charges. As of April 25, former Rep. Mike Defensor has yet to issue a personal statement on the matter.