The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been tasked to investigate the killings of the officials of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra himself gave the directive under Department Order No. 192 dated Aug. 1.
In his order, the secretary instructed the NBI to conduct “investigation and case build-up” into the killings of NCMH chief Dr. Roland Cortez, his driver Ernesto dela Cruz and PCSO Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga.
Guevarra told the NBI that “if the evidence warrants, to file the appropriate charges against persons involved and found responsible.”
He also directed NBI Officer-In-Charge Eric Distor “to submit a report on the progress of the subject investigation and case-build-up to the Office of the Secretary within 10 days, and periodically thereafter.”
Cortez and Dela Cruz were killed during an ambush that was conducted by motorcycle-riding assailants in Quezon City last July 27.
Several days later, Barayuga was gunned down by a lone motorcycle-riding gunman in Mandaluyong City last July 30.
His driver, Jojo Gunao, was also hurt during the shooting but managed to survive.