Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Sunday directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to intensify its search for the missing University of the Philippines (UP) Law Professor Ryan Oliva.
(TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Guevarra also ordered the NBI to coordinate with the local officials in Mindoro Occidental where Oliva’s bag was reportedly found along the shore of Barangay Balikyas in Looc town.
The bag reportedly contained Oliva’s driver’s license, a cellular phone, a charger, and automated teller machine (ATM) cards.
Oliva, who also works at the Department of Tourism (DOT) legislative liaison office, has been reported missing since November 21 by his family members who sought the government’s help to locate him.
“The NBI MIMAROPA (a region composed of the two provinces of Mindoro, and Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) field office is already involved in the search for Atty. Oliva. I have directed NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor to intensify the NBI’s coordination with the local police of Looc, Mindoro Occidental and the Philippine Coast Guard in the joint search,” Guevarra said.
Published reports quoted Mindoro Occidental police director Col. Hordan Pacatiw as having said Oliva’s bag could have been washed ashore to Looc town.
On the part of the NBI, Spokesman Ferdinand Lavin had said a taxi driver had claimed to have dropped off Oliva in Batangas.