NBI probes execs for allegedly tipping off Napoles

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III ordered an investigation on two National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officials for allegedly tipping off suspected pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles on the arrest warrant's release, an official said.

"Ang sabi ng ating mahal na pangulo ay inihahanda na yata o gumagawa ng imbestigasyon tungkol dito," NBI Director Nonnatus Rojas said in a television interview on Monday.

Rojas said, however, that the agency has not yet identified the two officials even as Aquino already hinted of those  he find "less trustworthy" in the bureau.

"Actually hindi pa din naman namin identified kung sino ang dalawang ito. Dahil nga ang nag-iimbestiga nito ay ang ahensya na inutusan at inatasan ng pangulo natin," Rojas said, adding that they are still waiting for official directives from the president on how to proceed with the probe.

Rojas said that the bureau is prepared to face consequences once the officials are proven to be at fault for giving insider information to Napoles and her brother Reynald "Jojo" Lim, who already went into hiding as the court announced their arrest for alleged involvement in a serious illegal detention case.

"Transparent kami at kung ano man ang kahihinatnan ng imbestigasyon, kung talaga ngang mayroong ginawang pagkakamali ang dalawang opisyal namin, ay tatanggapin namin at papatawan ng kaukulang parusa kung kinakailangan," he said.

Rojas said, however, that the agency was already looking into the case before Aquino ordered an official probe.

"Mukhang ang hindi namin certain kung ang DOJ or ibang sangay ng pamahalaan gaya ng Philippine National Police ang nagsasagawa nito," he said.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had said in a radio interview that someone might have tipped the "well connected" Napoles about the warrant.

De Lima also said Napoles' coddlers will be charged for harboring fugitives and obstruction of justice.

The NBI launched a manhunt after Napoles and Lim went missing following the court warrant last August 15.

Related story: NBI still looking for Napoles, brother

Napoles surrendered to Aquino last August 28, asking for an assurance of security.

She faces a kidnapping case for allegedly detaining supposed pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy last December.

Related story: Napoles surrenders to President Aquino