MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Nicole Martinez Syjuco and her husband, Miguel Syjuco, owners of Draco Builders, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on August 6, 2025, over a multimillion-peso estafa case.

The joint operation, led by NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), involved the NBI Organized and Transnational Crime Division, Southeastern Mindanao Region, Technical Intelligence Division, International Airport Investigation Division, and the Bureau of Immigration.

The couple was served with warrants of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 20 in Davao Occidental on July 22, 2024. They are accused of misappropriation and contractual deceit involving three major Mindanao projects worth ₱200 million.

Investigators said the complainant had paid over 95% of the agreed costs, but the projects remained unfinished. The Syjucos also allegedly refused to return advance payments for an uninitiated project, leading to charges under Article 315 (1)(b) of the Revised Penal Code.

Director Santiago lauded the coordinated effort, stressing that the arrest underscores the NBI’s resolve that “no one is above the law,” regardless of wealth or influence.