NBI head vows to stay away from politics

CEBU, Philippines - Two weeks after he assumed office as the new director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7, lawyer Antonio Pagatpat paid a courtesy call on Mayor Michael Rama.

But he insisted that their office is apolitical and guaranteed that their office will only participate in “official activities of Cebu City.”

“We shy away from politics because NBI does not meddle with politics,” Pagatpat told reporters.

The Regional Police Office (PRO) 7 was recently accused of involvement in the political standoff at the Provincial Capitol, a matter Pagatpat refused to comment on.

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

Pagatpat went to Mayor Rama’s office yesterday shortly before noon and had a brief-closed door discussion with the local chief executive.

“It was good. First, it was a courtesy call and then I thanked the mayor for the assistance that the local government unit of Cebu City has given to our office,” the NBI chief said.

Pagatpat promised “improvements” in the agency’s “system and thrust” in accordance with the program of the present administration.

Meanwhile, investigation aimed to trace who uploaded the sex video

involving a university student is ongoing but detailed updates have yet to be given, Pagatpat added.

The victim, a graduating college student, earlier sought the help of NBI in seeking justice over the spread of video over the internet.  (FREEMAN)