NBI records doctored in '11 Indians' case

Official documents of the National Bureau of Investigation were falsified to clear former NBI Director Epimaco Velasco in the controversial release of 11 Indians then being held for allegedly manufacturing illegal drugs, new evidence shown to The STAR indicated.

The foreigners were deported by the Bureau of Immigration after their release, allowing them to escape criminal prosecution.

Evidence shown to The STAR supported what sources had claimed was falsification of pertinent radio message entries to the NBI headquarters to cover up the anomalous release of the 11 Indians.

Velasco, however, denied the accusations and insisted that the case is already closed. The former NBI chief, who later became Cavite governor in 1995 after his retirement and local government secretary in 1998, said he was not aware of any falsification.

The source who requested anonymity said a former NBI radio technician falsified the NBI records. The source said the radio technician rose from a mere casual employee in 1994 to a regular radio operator in 1996. He is now reportedly residing in Australia.

Former NBI Deputy Director for Intelligence Arturo Figueras was the only one indicted for the mysterious escape of the Indians. The Sandiganbayan is slated to wrap up its trial on the incident.

It was Figueras' group that arrested the Indians on July 4, 1994 during a raid of their rented house and warehouse in Las Piñas.

The Indians were reportedly manufacturing billions worth of the illegal substance methaqualone, a vital ingredient in the manufacture of shabu.

According to reports, millions changed hands to facilitate the Indians' release. However, even the subsequent inquiry by the Senate failed to pinpoint the mastermind. Figueras had insisted at the Senate inquiry that he merely obeyed orders to release the 11 Indians.

One radio entry, the source pointed out, purportedly showed Velasco issuing an order through the radio while on the field to release the Indians.

The source said the entry "RD Figueras per ins(truction) ni Lolo OK" was alleged altered later into a senseless message of "RD Figueras per ins(truction) si Lolo loob OK" to protect Velasco.

"Lolo," aside from "Isarog," was reportedly the call name of Velasco. "Lolo" is also being used as the call name of every NBI director.

One Atty. Bello, believed to be then Solicitor General Silvestre Bello III, was also mentioned in the radio messages that led to the Indians' release. The source, however, said Bello might not have anything to do with the release.

One radio operator named Ruben Mercado is said to be willing to testify on the alterations.

Mercado was among the witnesses in the controversial release but he reportedly never had a chance to reveal the alleged falsification .

"The falsification is an open secret at the NBI radio room but nobody is willing to talk except Mercado," said the source.