MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided houses allegedly owned by former speaker Lord Allan Velasco and his wife, Rowena, more than a month ago over information that high-powered firearms were being kept there but it found none.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed that the raids were carried out on Aug. 24, 2026, adding another significant development to the widening NBI investigation involving the former lawmaker and his former security aide, dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.
It was not clear why Matibag chose to reveal the raid a month after it happened but said that it was launched amid reports of illegal firearms on the properties. The operation occurred just days before Velasco left the Philippines on Aug. 30. The Bureau of Immigration later confirmed he had not returned as of Sept. 30.
Gracioso accused the Velascos of instructing him to deliver suitcases allegedly containing billions of pesos in cash to Vice President Sara Duterte and members of her family.
The NBI has yet to establish the truth of Gracioso’s allegations, with Matibag saying investigators are still validating the former security aide’s claims, including photographs and videos he submitted as supposed evidence.
The agency has also indicated that the people named in Gracioso’s affidavit would be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
The Aug. 24 raids preceded the surfacing of Gracioso’s explosive allegations, raising questions about what information prompted the NBI to obtain and serve search warrants on the properties.
Matibag said the firearms-related operation was based on intelligence information and was separate from the cash-delivery allegations now being investigated.
The BI confirmed early this week that Velasco was out of the country, saying there was no immigration order or hold departure order (HDO) on record that would have prevented him from leaving the country.
The Bureau, however, did not provide additional information about Velasco’s travel history or immigration records, citing data privacy requirements.
