MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday arrested businessman Francis Leo Marcos for his supposed violation of Revised Optometry Law of 1995.
Initial information from NBI Cyber Crime Division chief Victor Lorenzo showed that Marcos was apprehended by NBI operatives at his residence in Quezon City after serving an existing arrest warrant on the suspect in Baguio City.
Lorenzo said Marcos was distributing eyeglasses without the approval and permission from the Philippine Association of Optometry.
In another press conference at the NBI Headquarters, NBI Spokesman Ferdinand Lavin said the NBI is also verifying reports of an arrest warrant for human trafficking in 2006 and another arrest warrant for violence against women and children in Gapan, Nueva Ecija issued against Marcos.
Lavin also said the law enforcement agency is in the process of verifying Marcos’ true name which is “Norman Mangusin.”
“We are in the process of verifying the true identity because we have been receiving reports that he had been using the name before, Norman Mangusin,” Lavin told reporters.
But Marcos told reporters that he was only helping citizens by providing eye care programs.
“Nagbibigay ako ng optimum eyecare program sa Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. Ako po wala akong ginawang hindi maganda puro pagtulong sa ating mamamayan,” he said.
(I am giving an optimum eye care program in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. I have not done anything wrong but only help our countrymen.)
Marcos is known for starting the “Mayaman Challenge” which aims to urge rich citizens to help people suffering from the economic effects of the coronavirus disease.