NBI chief orders probe into alleged irregular STF operation in Malolos

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago has ordered an investigation into an alleged irregular operation conducted by the NBI-Special Task Force (STF) in Malolos City, Bulacan in July.

The NBI-Internal Affairs Division (IAD) is also looking into allegations that personal items of the subjects were allegedly seized by NBI personnel.

According to Santiago, special orders were issued to transfer the STF personnel to different regional offices or divisions pending the investigation.

“Rest assured that the Bureau takes this matter with utmost seriousness and we are committed to take all the appropriate actions,” Santiago said in a letter.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the chief of the NBI-STF and will publish his response once available. 

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Santiago said the investigation stemmed from the complaint of the Chinese Embassy and the lawyer of the Chinese nationals who were arrested during the operation.

“Para hindi nila ma-tamper, whatever evidence, buwagin muna ‘yan, imbestigahan agad ng IAD at let us see,” he said.

(So that they won’t be able to tamper with whatever evidence, dismantle that first, immediately investigate through the IAD, and let us see.)

However, he clarified that this is only temporary.

“Habang nag-iisip ako ng kung sino ang karapatdapat na maligay diyan at susunod sa aking guidance, in the meantime, wala muna akong STF,” he said.

(While I am thinking about who should be appointed who will follow my guidance, in the meantime, there will be no STF.)

Santiago said the operation was for a resort allegedly involved in love scams and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

However, he said that the address provided by the agents to the court in requesting for a search warrant was incorrect.

“Nagkamali lang daw sila sa address ganoon, error lang daw, meron naman daw sila sketch. Aba, hindi. Kung ganyan, ako judge ako bago ko magbigay ng search warrant ay tinitiyak ko muna na tama ang lugar na inyong ise-search,” he said.

(They said they just made a mistake with the address, just an error, they said they had a sketch. Well, no. If that’s the case, if I were the judge, before I issue a search warrant, I would make sure first that the place you’re going to search is correct.)

“Parang ganoon eh, minslead nila ‘yung court. ‘Yung court naman nagbigay ng search warrant na mali naman pala ‘yung address,” he said. 

(It seems to be like that, they misled the court. Then the court issued a search warrant, but it turns out the address was wrong.)

He said that no complaints have been filed as the agents are still under investigation. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News