Manila, Nov. 17 -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday denied allegations made by former lawmaker Mike Defensor that the aide of former Ako Bicol congressman Zaldy Co and his wife were illegally detained and flown out of the country using fake passports.

In a statement, the NBI called on Defensor to "present verifiable evidence, not hearsay, should he persist in making these accusations" supposedly involving Co's aide, John Paul Estrada

"Should the evidence so warrant, the Bureau shall proceed with the appropriate investigative actions," the NBI said.

"Absent any credible proof, these allegations remain unfounded, cannot be given weight, and may even lead to prosecution for its malicious intent to undermine the credibi...