Court grants ex-NBI chief writ of amparo for his protection

A Manila court on Tuesday granted the petition of sacked National Bureau of Investigation chief Magtanggol Gatdula for a writ of amparo to protect him and his family from possible harm.

 

Manila Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. ordered protection for Gatdula and his family from Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, NBI OIC Nonato Rojas and NBI deputy director Reynaldo Esmeralda, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported.

 

The report said the court ordered the Philippine National Police's Police Security Protection Group to give Gatdula and his family protection.

 

It also ordered an inspection of Esmeralda's vehicle which was damaged in an ambush in Manila's Paco district last February. Gatdula had been linked to the ambush but denied involvement in it.

 

Earlier, Gatdula filed a petition for the issuance of a writ of amparo with the Manila court, saying that his life could be in danger.

 

He said he fears de Lima may frame him for the ambush, even as his lawyer Abraham Espejo was quoted as saying the ambush may pave the way for an "extra-legal killing.”

 

Gatdula also asked the court to stop de Lima, as well as NBI Officer-in-Charge Nonnatus Rojas and Esmeralda, “from further threatening the life, liberty and security of the petitioner and his family.”

 

Gatdula was sacked earlier this year for his alleged involvement in the abduction and extortion of a Japanese woman. He denied the allegations. –KG, GMA News