NBI-7 has new director

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation in Region 7 has a new head of office.

Lawyer Antonio Pagatpat assumed office yesterday as the new regional director of NBI 7 and vowed to “shy away” from politics this election season.

Former NBI-7 Director Edward Villarta is now assigned in the South Eastern Mindanao Regional Office in Region 11.

Pagatpat, 49, a native of Tacloban City has been serving the bureau for 23 years.

He was assigned in Cebu as an agent ten years ago.

Pagatpat considered his new assignment as a big challenge  considering that Central Visayas is a big area.

Although he refused to go into details, Pagapat said he has many plans to implement in NBI-7 including case backlog and the system in issuing NBI clearance.

He also said they will give special attention in investigating and solving heinous crimes.

He will also implement office improvements and renovations.

Pagatpat is calling the community to cooperate with them especially in the investigation of crimes.

Pagapat admitted that NBI-7 lacks manpower but he can ask the head office for augmentation.

Pagatpat was the former head of the NBI Eastern Visayas Regional Office in Tacloban City where he served for five years.

He was then reassigned to the Bicol Regional Office, served for two years and four months before he was transferred to the NBI Office in Central Visayas.

On the other hand, NBI 7 Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Lauro Reyes will also be leaving his post on January 31 and will be reassigned to Region 11.

Reyes will be replaced by Jose Doloires from the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Office in Cagayan de Oro City. — (FREEMAN)