Filtered By: Topstories
News

NBI cybercrime head relieved amid probe, says Guevarra


Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday confirmed that a top official of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been relieved amid an ongoing investigation over an alleged anomalous operation in Manila.

In a message to reporters, Guevarra said he approved the recommendation of NBI OIC-Director Eric Distor to relieve NBI-Cybercrime Investigation and assessment Center head Vic Lorenzo and other personnel concerned.

“This, I believe, is standard operating procedure whenever any NBI official or agent is under investigation by the internal affairs division in order to preserve the evidence and preclude any undue influence during the investigation,” he said.

“As SOJ, my interest is to maintain professionalism, discipline, and ethical conduct among the personnel and operatives of the premier investigating agency in our country,” he added.

According to Guevarra, the operation was about the serving of a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer data in an establishment in Manila on May 31 where alleged irregularities were observed.

“No further details could be given at this time, as the matter is being investigated by the internal affairs division of the NBI. We just want to make sure that similar operations in the future will be conducted in a most professional way,” he said.

Meanwhile, according to the NBI, Distor has also ordered the review of existing cybercrime and other operation guidelines and procedures.

He also ordered that all operational authority must come from the Office of the Director and must be under the control and supervision of the office.  —LBG, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT