10 NBI officials to get new assignments

Ten officials of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will get key new assignments starting tomorrow.

Bicol regional director Ricardo Diaz was assigned to be the bureau’s new spokesman and concurrent chief of the Criminal Intelligence Division (CRID) under the deputy director for intelligence service.

Diaz, a former community journalist before he became a lawyer and NBI agent, was the spokesman for the late NBI director Reynaldo Wycoco.

NBI Director Nestor Mantaring also named head agent Rafael Ragos as chief of staff of newly appointed Assistant Director Pedro Bulaong.

Regional director Carlos Saunar will replace Diaz as Bicol regional director.

Central Mindanao regional director Manuel Almendares was named deputy director for intelligence services, while Manuel George Jularbal was designated as Central Mindanao regional director.

Assistant Regional Director Lauro Reyes was named acting regional director of Caraga. Head agent Abdulgani Benito was appointed executive officer of Reyes.

Regional Director Rustico Vigilia was named the new chief at Central Luzon regional office, Assistant Regional Director Generoso Matulac was designated acting Southern Tagalog regional director while Assistant Regional Director Policronio Palpal-latoc is now the acting regional director of the Ilocos regional office.

All of the newly appointed officials — except Ragos — are lawyers.

Deputy Director Reynaldo Esmeralda of the NBI-Regional Operations Service said Mantaring implemented the reshuffle because "we wanted dynamic and pro-active officials in criminal investigation."

"I need regional officials who would start their investigation without waiting for orders from Manila. They would conduct their investigation immediately and coordinate with the police," Esmeralda added.

He directed the new officials to keep their mobile telephones open 24 hours a day. "They should be on call 24 hours a day. I, in return, will fully support them."

The bureau expects that Diaz, with his background in media, would help establish better rapport between the NBI, the media and the public.

"Yes, I’m happy to be the NBI spokesman and (I’m looking forward to) work with you again," said Diaz who only served seven months as Bicol bureau chief.

Diaz, a native of Camarines Sur, was a reporter for the defunct Naga Times from 1974 to 1975, broadcaster from 1976 to 1986, and was president of the Television and Radio Announcers of Camarines Sur in 1980. He became a lawyer and an NBI agent and also trained at the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.