NBI to probe VIP treatment for ‘pyramid’ suspect

Is pyramid scam suspect Rosario Baladjay, who is facing multi-million estafa charges, enjoying special treatment from guards at a Makati City jail?

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), one of the law enforcement agencies investigating pyramiding cases, said they are now investigating the matter based on information recently received.

A source from the NBI said Baladjay threw a party early this month as evidenced by a photo showing Baladjay with at least 20 persons, most of them wearing red.

"We are now looking into complaints that jail officials and guards have been extending VIP treatment to Baladjay," the source said.

The NBI official said Baladjay and her friends in red were likely celebrating a Valentine’s Day party.

The NBI is now coordinating with Makati City jail warden Superintendent Edgar Bolcio to clarify the reports.

A Makati City judge earlier junked Baladjay’s request to allow her to be confined at a hospital for medical treatment.

Baladjay and other pyramiding scam suspects were arrested one after the other by NBI agents ordered by NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco.

The NBI have arrested Baladjay of Multi-Tel, Ervin Mateo of the Mateo Management Group; and Maria Teresa Santos of MTST.

In November, NBI agents arrested Palmy Tibayan, wife of Jesus Tibayan and allegedly a key officer of the Tibayan Group in an operation in Antipolo City yesterday morning.

Authorities are now hunting down Jesus Tibayan, Ezekiel Martinez, Liborio Elacio, Jimmy Catigan and Nilda Baran, who are the subjects of warrants of arrest for a non-bailable offense of large-scale estafa.