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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider NBI told to fix its image after high-profile detainee admits he can leave cell several times 

NBI told to fix its image after high-profile detainee admits he can leave cell several times 

Published Jul 5, 2023 09:59 am
The Senate justice and human rights committee has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to try to regain people’s trust and respect since it is the prime investigation agency of the country. The call was made by Senator Francis Tolentino when he presided his committee hearing on the “scandalous” trips of Jose Adrian “Jad” Dera, a high-profile detainee and co-accused of former Senator Leila de Lima on one of her drug cases. Reportedly, Dera is able to go out of the NBI detention cell without the necessary court order or under extreme medical emergency cases. According to NBI Director Medardo de Lemos, these are the only two cases that a detainee could leave the NBI detention facility under guard. The NBI had recovered some P100,000 in cash from Dera after eating at a Makati restaurant and P10,000 cash from one of his NBI security officers who escorted him out of the NBI custodial facility. Dera admitted that he had gone out of the NBI detention facility several times but denied giving money to his security officers. However, since President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had tasked the NBI to focus on agricultural smuggling, Tolentino asked de Lemos how the agency can do to address the issue. De Lemos stressed that the NBI will immediately adopt corrective measures to avoid a repetition of the Dera case. Furthermore, he said the NBI custodial officers who escorted Dera to his escapades to Tagaytay, Calatagan in Batangas and Makati are now under detention, he added. “But we heard more,” Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa told Dera of his sneaking out of the NBI detention center. Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, expressed hopes that the Dera case would be the last to put a question mark on the image of the NBI.  “First step is to enforce the law. I congratulate the President for his order to crack down on smuggling, especially of agriculture products,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said. “But the OP  (Office of the P resident) and the entire Malacañang must monitor if the lower ranks are seriously implementing the president’s orders,” he added. Tolentino said the NBI must try to maintain its prestige: “It is respected by the international community.”   

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Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights NBI Francis Tolentino
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