NBI conducts probe on MRT shakedown bid

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is conducting its own probe of the allegations made by the Czech ambassador of a $30-million extortion attempt in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3) expansion project, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said yesterday.

De Lima said the NBI probe on the alleged extortion attempt on Czech railway firm Inekon Group in July last year by officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) was ordered by President Aquino himself.

“As always, the thrust is to ascertain the facts and the truth and determine accountability, if warranted,” De Lima said.

De Lima also revealed the NBI has discreetly started its probe about two weeks ago when the presidential directive was given.

De Lima though refused to further discuss details so as not to jeopardize the ongoing parallel probe.

The STAR reported earlier that Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar had accused some officials of the DOTC of asking Inekon executives for $30 million if they wanted to get the contract to supply 48 new trains for the MRT expansion project.

The $30 million, it was alleged, was later reduced to $2.5 million.

Rychtar had implicated MRT general manager Al Vitangcol III in the controversy. The Czech ambassador has been asked to cooperate with government’s probe while Vitangcol had gone on leave from his post.

The firm Inekon was reportedly “blacklisted” from the bidding after it refused to pay the government officials $30 million, a claim already denied by Malacañang.

Earlier reports citing unnamed sources also claimed presidential sister Ballsy and her husband Eldon Cruz were the ones who had demanded $30 million from Inekon as facilitation fee for the MRT deal.

Rychtar, however, cleared Ballsy and her husband, saying government-to-government deals do not allow for commissions.