Guban will be transferred to NBI after Senate probe, Guevarra says

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban will be transferred to the National Bureau of Investigation once the Senate terminates its investigation on the smuggling of billions of pesos worth of shabu through magnetic lifters.

“Senator (Richard) Gordon and I have agreed to transfer custody of a vital witness, Jimmy Guban, to the NBI upon termination of the Senate inquiry,” Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

He also confirmed that Guban shall be considered for coverage under the Witness Protection Protection Program “upon full compliance with all the requirements under the WPP law.”

At a press conference earlier in the day, Gordon said he recommended the inclusion of Guban and his family to the WPP following the revelations made by the latter.

“He (Guban) is now a witness, he made some revelations,” the senator said. 

He added that Guban will remain under the protective custody of the Senate until he is admitted into WPP.

Guevarra further said that the NBI will conduct further investigation on the basis of the Senate committee report “and file the appropriate complaints as the evidence will warrant.”

Gordon said he gave the Justice secretary a copy of the blue ribbon committee’s partial report.

He said the panel will resume its hearing on the matter on October 30. — RSJ, GMA News