A PASIG Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued a cyber warrant authorizing the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to examine several mobile devices seized from Franco Mabanta and other individuals in connection with a robbery with intimidation or extortion case allegedly directed at former House speaker Martin Romualdez.
In a May 13 order, Pasig RTC Branch 71 Judge Elisa Sarmiento-Flores granted the Warrant to Examine Computer Data (WECD), allowing the NBI’s Office of the Cybercrime Division (OTCD) and Digital Forensics Laboratory to conduct a forensic examination of six mobile devices confiscated during the suspects’ arrest on May 5, 2026.
Authorities arrested Mabanta and several others in connection with an alleged extortion scheme that reportedly involved intimidation and the use of electronic communications to demand money from Romualdez. The arrests led to the filing of an application for a cyber warrant to access and preserve digital evidence from the seized devices.
The devices included a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, iPhone 17 Air, Samsung S23 Ultra, iPhone 13, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Authorities said the gadgets were seized from Mabanta, an alias “Jimmy,” and an individual identified as Ericson.
The court said probable cause “existed” to believe that Mabanta and others committed extortion under Article 293 in relation to Article 294(5) of the Revised Penal Code, in connection with Section 6 of Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Under the warrant, the NBI is authorized to examine data covering the period from April 25 to May 5, 2026, including call logs, text messages, chat messages, electronic communications, and other files allegedly related to extortion activities directed at Romualdez.
The order also permits limited interception activities under Section 6.5 of the Rule on Cybercrime Warrants. Pursuant to Section 15 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, the court directed the respondents to provide passwords or biometric authentication to access the seized devices.
The NBI was also ordered to submit an initial return within 10 days from May 13 and a final return within 48 hours after the court-prescribed examination period expires.