Jefry Tupas calls NBI’s raps referral ‘harassment’

MANILA, Philippines — Former Davao City chief information officer Jefry Tupas has described the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)’s referral of obstruction of justice, cyber libel, and publication of false news complaints to the Department of Justice (DOJ) against him as “harassment.”

In a statement on Wednesday, Tupas said he had earlier presented the NBI with evidence—such as airline ticket bookings, passport photos with stamps, and Facebook posts—that supposedly debunked former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.’s allegations against him.

Gracioso claims he handed over suitcases of money to Tupas for his former boss, Vice President Sara Duterte.

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READ: NBI recommends obstruction of justice raps vs Jefry Tupas

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“It is clear to me, and probably to everyone else who can read between the lines, that I am being harassed, intimidated, and pressured to turn against Vice President Sara Duterte and testify against her in a plunder case related to the Gracioso allegations,” Tupas said in the statement.

“The NBI can file all the trumped-up charges they want against me, but I will never allow myself to be used as a witness for a case built on lies,” he pointed out.

Tupas then questioned the bureau’s investigation into Gracioso’s claims, arguing that the bureau is apparently giving more weight to the former cop’s statement than his.

He also reiterated his denial of NBI Director Melvin Matibag’s statement that he was the one who actually brought up that there was a threat to his life and requested a subpoena when agents visited his house in North Cotabato in September.

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“Kung galing kasi sa akin ang impormasyong ito, hindi nga ba’t dapat ako mismo ang pumunta sa NBI dala ang aking sumbong at paghingi ng proteksyon? Imbes na ganoon, boluntaryong nagpadala ang ahensya ng mga ahente nito sa aming tahanan,” he said.

(If this information came from me, shouldn’t I have gone to the NBI myself with my complaint and request for protection? Instead, the agency voluntarily sent its agents to our home.)

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“Hindi po ako sinungaling, at hindi ko kailanman papayagang magamit ang aking sarili upang kumampi o maging kasangkapan ng mga sinungaling,” Tupas added.

(I am not a liar, and I will never allow myself to be used to side with or be a tool of liars.)

The INQUIRER reached out to Matibag regarding Tupas’ statement, but he has yet to respond as of this writing.

The NBI recently issued a subpoena to Tupas to shed light on Gracioso’s “cash delivery” allegations, but he only sent a lawyer to submit a counter-affidavit.

READ: NBI offered ex-Davao info officer Tupas money, place in Manila – lawyer

Tupas earlier alleged that the bureau “initiated efforts” to bring him to Manila, including a supposed offer of money and a place in Metro Manila, even in Forbes Park, Makati City.

Responding to this, Matibag recently said it was Tupas who actually brought out that there were threats to his life—and not the bureau’s agents.

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The NBI director also said that Tupas’ allegations are “a bit outrageous,” pointing out that the bureau cannot afford to house anyone in Forbes Park. /mr