PNP-NBI deal on drug war probe to be signed next week –Eleazar

Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Wednesday said the agreement between their organization and the National Bureau of Investigation for the probe on drug war cases has been approved in principle.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Eleazar said the PNP and the NBI will sign the Memorandum of Agreement by next week.

“Yun naman po approved in principle na sa aming pag-uusap ni [Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra] (That has been already approved in principle based on my discussion with Secretary Guevarra),” he said.

“Magkakaroon kami ng pormal na MOA signing with the director of NBI at ayan po gagawin namin next week (We will have a formal MOA signing with the NBI director next week)” he added.

Under the agreement, the PNP and the NBI will conduct a review on the deaths in anti-illegal drug operations with possible lapses on the part of law enforcers.

On Tuesday, Guevarra expressed hope that the PNP and NBI would be able to sign the MOA before Eleazar retires, which is  set on November 13.

Guevarra said both agencies would be given a “reasonable period” to beef up the MOA and include operational matters they deem necessary.

“We’re expecting their comments this week… then we can finalize. We hope that the NBI and the PNP would be able to sign their MOA before PNP chief Eleazar's retirement,” he said.

Rece4ntly, the DOJ published its review of 52 drug war cases.

Justice Undersecretary Adrian Sugay said this was just part of the first batch, and more cases would be investigated in the coming months as the Philippine National Police vowed to submit more records and files. —LBG, GMA News