Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa – Photo courtesy of Bato Dela Rosa/Facebook.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is investigating a scam operation that used Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s name to extort money, with authorities also looking into a possible link to a police officer.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said investigators were pursuing the angle that law enforcement personnel may have been involved, although the probe was still ongoing.
He said the case raised concern after the suspect appeared to have access to sensitive information involving high ranking government officials.
The investigation stemmed from the arrest of a man who allegedly posed as someone with knowledge of dela Rosa’s whereabouts in exchange for money.
Authorities said the suspect used messaging applications to contact victims and solicit payments while invoking the names of prominent officials to make the scheme appear legitimate.
The suspect later claimed he was merely used in the operation, alleging that a police officer was the mastermind behind the scam.
Investigators said the suspect also used or dropped the names of several top government figures, including legislators and executive officials, to pressure victims into paying.
The NBI said it was continuing efforts to trace how the suspect obtained contact details of public officials as part of a broader probe into the scam network.
