DOJ orders NBI to probe politicians linked to destab plot vs. Duterte admin

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has mobilized government agents to investigate opposition politicians who may be planning to overthrow the government of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Aguirre issued Department Order No. 385 on June 7 directing the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a probe and case build-up against "some senators and other opposition leaders" linked to the alleged destabilization plot.

SOJ Aguirre orders NBI to probe alleged destabilization efforts by "some senators, opposition leaders" vs Duterte admin. | via @virgillopez pic.twitter.com/9MHtRr6mwe

— GMA News (@gmanews) June 9, 2017

The justice chief did not give specific names of opposition personalities subject of the investigation.

He also asked NBI Director Dante Gierran to give him updates on the "current activities" regarding the investigation.

The department order was issued on the same day he disclosed to the press that  Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Bam Aquino, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, and Ronald Llamas, political adviser of former President Benigno Aquino III, had a meeting with the Alonto and Lucman political families prior to the attacks caused by the Maute group in Marawi City on May 23.

The Cabinet official said the May 2 meeting could be part of moves to destabilize the Duterte administration and have sparked the terroristic attacks in the city.

Aguirre later clarified he was misquoted by the press and cleared the Lucman and Alonto families and Aquino of participation in the alleged meeting.

His statement has caught the ire of the personalities he mentioned, who showed proof that they were not in Marawi City on May 2.

Journalists, even those covering the Department of Justice, meanwhile chided Aguirre for claiming that he was misquoted by the media. —KBK, GMA News