The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has formed teams which will conduct the case buildup against 154 policemen involved in 52 illegal drugs operations which resulted in deaths to 56 suspects and other persons.
“Teams were formed to lead the regional offices concerned to supervise the conduct of the case buildup,” NBI Deputy Director for Forensic Investigation Services Ferdinand M. Lavin said during the Laging Handa briefing on Tuesday, Nov. 9.
Lavin said the decision to create teams was reached by NBI Officer-in-Charge Director Eric B. Distor and NBI Deputy Director for Regional Operations Services Antonio M. Pagatpat.
He said the 52 cases, which were reviewed by the Department of Justice (DOJ), occurred in various places in the country including Mindanao, National Capital Region and Southern Tagalog provinces.
“Yung region na nakakasakop dito ang mag-iimbestiga for expediency and familiarity of the area (The NBI regional office which has jurisdiction will conduct the investigation for expediency and familiarity of the area),” he explained.
He said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has expressed commitment to “make available the records of the cases.”
The PNP’s commitment is in line with the recent memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed last Nov. 3 by Distor and PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar, he said.
The agreement allows cooperation and collaboration in the investigation of wrong doings in law enforcement’s anti-illegal drugs operations, he added.
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra himself directed the NBI to conduct the case buildup after the DOJ’s review of the records of the 52 cases which were turned over by the PNPs Internal Affairs Service (IAS).