NBI - Tarlac District Office

PRESS RELEASE
February 19, 2026

NBI Assures Continuity of Service Amid Leadership Transition

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) expresses its profound gratitude to outgoing Director Atty. Angelito “Lito” Magno for his steadfast and principled leadership. Throughout his tenure, Director Magno guided the Bureau with integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering dedication to public service, reinforcing the NBI’s role as a cornerstone of justice and accountability.

As the Bureau moves forward, Atty. Melvin Matibag takes the helm of the NBI, marking a new chapter in the institution’s continuing mission of service. The organization stands united in ensuring a seamless and dignified transition of leadership.

In his message to the men and women of the Bureau, Director Magno stated:

“Serving as Director of the National Bureau of Investigation has been both an honor and a profound responsibility. I am deeply grateful to the dedicated agents and personnel who stood with me in upholding our mandate. I have full confidence that the Bureau will continue to carry out its mission with integrity, courage, and commitment under its new leadership.”

The NBI assures Director Matibag of its full cooperation and steadfast support. The Bureau remains unwavering in its commitment to deliver justice without fear or favor and to serve the Filipino people with utmost dedication — regardless of who leads the institution.

Media Contact:
HA Palmer Mallari
NBI Spokesperson

📢 PUBLIC ADVISORY

Please be advised of the temporary suspension of NBI Clearance processing in Tarlac District Office Main on January 20, 2026 in line with Malacañang Proclamation No. 1142 , s. 2026 a special non-working day in Tarlac City to celebrate and participate in the annual fiesta. To those clearance applicants, you may opt to proceed at NBI Capas Satellite Clearance Office and Paniqui Clerance Satellite Office. Kindly see the details below for guidance.

𝗜𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝘀𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗡𝗼. 𝟴𝟭𝟱𝟭 𝗻𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝗯𝘆𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗲 𝟮𝟳 𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗰.

Sa araw na ito, ipinagdiriwang natin ang Ninoy Aquino Day bilang pagkilala sa hindi matatawarang tapang, sakripisyo, at malasakit sa bayan ni Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

Ito ay pagkakataon para balikan ang kanyang ambag sa pagtataguyod ng kalayaan at demokrasya ng ating bansa, at upang sama-sama nating pahalagahan ang mga aral na iniwan niya para sa susunod na henerasyon ng mga Tarlaqueño.

READ: In view of the forecasted impacts that will be brought by Super Typhoon , work in gov’t offices in the NCR, CAR, and Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V, and VIII is hereby suspended on November 10, 2025, Palace says.

Classes at all levels in the aforementioned regions, as well as Regions VI, VII, and Negros Island Region, are also suspended on November 10 and 11, 2025.| via Ivan Mayrina/GMA Integrated News

𝗡𝗕𝗜 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗡 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗢𝗠𝗕 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗦

As a crusader of peace and order, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has intensified its campaign against all threats to public safety. As a result, the NBI-Central Luzon Regional Office (NBI-CELRO) arrested SHEILA GONZALES y APRICANO in a hot pursuit operation in Angeles City, Pampanga, for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1727 (Bomb Prank Law).

The local government of Pandan, Angeles City, Pampanga, sought the assistance of NBI-CELRO in regards to multiple bomb threats that were made against several schools and universities in the Province of Pampanga. These threats were communicated through social media and the internet, but it was later determined that these bomb threats were hoaxes, and no actual bombings occurred.

In response, NBI-CELRO Agents quickly initiated a cyber-investigation, leading to the tracing and identification of the actual user and creator of the fraudulent social media account that created the bomb threats. The user was identified as Subject Gonzales, residing in Angeles City, Pampanga. Further investigation revealed that Subject was, in fact, a 21-year-old delinquent high school student enrolled at a local high school in Angeles City.

On October 13, 2025, the NBI-CELRO Agents, with the assistance of the officials of Barangay Pandan, apprehended Subject Gonzales in her residence. During the operation, the Subject’s mobile phone was seized and underwent an on-site digital forensic examination. The results revealed that the subject fake social media account, linked to the bomb threats, was logged in and active on the phone. Subject Gonzales was subsequently presented for inquest proceedings for the aforementioned violation.

NBI Director JUDGE JAIME B. SANTIAGO commended the agents of NBI-CELRO for the apprehension of Subject Gonzales. The Director emphasizes that the NBI, as a vanguard in upholding peace and order, will remain committed to addressing public safety issues.

𝗡𝗕𝗜 𝗡𝗔𝗕𝗦 𝗔 “𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟” 𝗔𝗡𝗗 “𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬” 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗙𝗔

The National Bureau of Investigation – Cavite District Office North (NBI-CAVIDO North) arrested HUBERI LIWANAG (“GENERAL”) and JUALINIO ABUTIN (“CONG WALLY”) for violation of Article 315 par. 2(a)(c) of the Revised Penal Code.

In December 2024, Complainants met with "CONG WALLY", a candidate for Congress from Cavite’s 7th District, who offered to sell them 700,000 disposable v**e juice cartridges. Although the price initially surprised the Complainants, they were assured the products would be released once they paid an initial reservation fee of Php20 million.

On December 29, 2024, “CONG WALLY” proposed a meeting with a government official. The official allegedly assured them the transaction would go through, stating she would only need to speak with the Commissioner of Customs about the release of the v**e products. Despite paying a total of Php 45.5 million to different individuals, as advised by "CONG WALLY" for “processing” at the Bureau of Customs and other connections, the release of the aforementioned v**e products never occurred.

When complainants demanded their money back, “Cong Wally” only offered excuses and false pretenses. Instead, he offered one of the Complainants a new brand of v**e products purportedly coming from a certain “General.” Sensing that this was another attempt to cover his previous obligation, the Complainant decided to seek the assistance of NBI-CAVIDO North.

The Subjects were subsequently apprehended during an entrapment operation.
Thereafter, Subjects were presented for inquest proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Bacoor City, Cavite for the above-mentioned violations.

𝗡𝗕𝗜 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗔𝗖 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗩𝗜𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

In line with the government’s drive to fight all forms of criminality, the National Bureau of Investigation – Criminal Intelligence Division (NBI-CRID), under the supervision of NBI Director JUDGE JAIME B. SANTIAGO (Ret.), arrested JENNY MACANAS SAPAD a.k.a. “SHIELA CASTILLO” and “ANGEL ROXAS y SOTERO” in Tarlac City for Syndicated Estafa through Falsification of Public Documents in relation to Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), violations of Article 178 (Use of Fictitious Name and Concealing True Name) and Article 177 (Usurpation of Authority and Official Function) under the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

The operation stemmed from a complaint alleging that a certain “Sheila Naransa Castillo”, who represented herself as a lawyer, deceived the complainant into giving Php5,000,000.00 in exchange for a favorable court resolution regarding a parcel of land. The Complainant was an interested party and was guaranteed to be the awardee of the property.

To support her claims, Subject presented the complainant with fake receipts and documents signed by a Judge and a clerk of Court of the Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) of Tarlac and Camiling. This was done to give the impression that Subject and her cohorts had legitimate transactions with various government agencies and courts.

Initial investigation revealed that the Subject's name is not listed on the official websites of the Supreme Court Office of the Bar Confidant and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines as a lawyer.

After confirming the illegal activities of the Subject and her associates, an entrapment operation was planned. Although the initial meeting was set to take place in the Hall of Justice in Tarlac, the Subject instructed the complainant to meet her in a fast-food chain in Tarlac City instead. Consequently, NBI-CRID Agents proceeded to the new location and conducted the entrapment operation, resulting in the arrest of the Subject. During the operation, an identification card from bearing the name "ANGEL ROXAS y SOTERO” was confiscated from the Subject.

During the standard booking procedure, Subject wrote the name “JENNY MACANAS SAPAD” on the booking sheet. She was later presented for inquest proceedings for the aforementioned violations. Furthermore, Subject Sapad’s cohorts were also charged with Syndicated Estafa through Falsification of Public Documents in relation to R.A. No. 10175.

NBI Director JUDGE JAIME B. SANTIAGO (Ret.) commended the Agents of NBI-CRID for the successful operation that led to the arrest of the Subject.

𝗡𝗕𝗜, 𝗕𝗜𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗜𝗭𝗘 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗡𝗨𝗘𝗩𝗔 𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗝𝗔

The National Bureau of Investigation-Tarlac District Office (NBI-TARDO), under the leadership of Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), seized a substantial quantity of imported brands of ci******es in Nueva Ecija.

On September 9, 2025, NBI-TARDO Agents, together with personnel from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), implemented three (3) Search Warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. The warrants were for the premises and a vehicle belonging to JONIFER M. LAJOM of Putot, Concepcion East, Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija, who was keeping and selling assorted imported brands of ci******es in violation of the National Internal Revenue Code under R.A. No. 8424.

The operation resulted in the seizure of fifty-eight (58) boxes of assorted brands of imported ci******es with an estimated value of Php 870,000.00. Subject JONIFER LAJOM was not at the premises during the said operation, but one MARICEL A. LAJOM, who was present, was invited to the NBI-TARDO for identification.

The seized contrabands were inventoried and examined onsite by the BIR personnel before being brought to the NBI-TARDO office for custody and safekeeping. Criminal complaint for violation of the aforementioned offense against Subject JONIFER LAJOM was already prepared, and only awaiting for the result of the examination conducted by the personnel by BIR personnel.

𝗡𝗕𝗜, 𝗗𝗧𝗜 𝗦𝗘𝗜𝗭𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗩𝗔𝗣𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗔𝗖 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬; 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗

The National Bureau of Investigation-Tarlac District Office (NBI-TARDO), under the leadership of Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), seized v**e products not registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The operation stemmed from information that several v**e shops were selling and distributing non-compliant vaporized ni****ne and non-ni****ne products. These products are not included in the list certified by the DTI– Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Ni****ne and Non-ni****ne Products, their Devices, and Novel To***co Products (DTI OSMV). The public display and sale of such products are strictly prohibited pending the issuance of a valid Philippine Standard (PS) Quality Certification mark.

On September 11, 2025, the joint buy-bust operation was conducted by NBI TARDO and the DTI OSMV in three (3) v**e shops in Tarlac City and one (1) in Capas, Tarlac. The operation resulted in the arrest of five (5) individuals and the seizure of v**e products with an estimated value of Php 600,000.00.

Arrested Subjects were presented for inquest proceedings on September 12, 2025 before the Office of City Prosecutor of Tarlac City and Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Tarlac, for violation of Section 4 of R.A. No. 11900 or the “Vaporized Ni****ne and Non-Ni****ne Products Regulation Act”.