DOJ orders probe on arrest of 6 NBI agents in Cavite

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered an investigation into the arrest of six National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents over the election gun ban violation amid tension in the house of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. in Bacoor City in Cavite hours before the polls last Monday.

De Lima told reporters yesterday that she “immediately gave verbal instructions (last Monday) to NBI Director (Nonnatus) Rojas to probe the incident.”

Police said NBI agents Honor Santos, Efifanio Baria, Rosauro Estardo, Rizalos Ronario, Danilo Cruz, and Frederick Galvez were arrested for violating the election gun ban.

But the camp of Revilla said that they requested the assistance of the NBI men after armed men “surrounded” the senator’s mansion and tried to set up a Commission on Elections checkpoint near the village hall in Barangay Panapaan VII around 11 p.m. last Sunday.

In a memorandum, De Lima directed Rojas “to verify or confirm the actual involvement, including the basis and extent thereof, of NBI agents that resulted in the arrest of a number of them.”

The justice secretary also tasked the NBI official to “determine the proper sanctions, if any, that may be imposed against those who may be found accountable for the incident.”

De Lima said that she also met with the chief of the NBI Cavite district office and the leader of the arrested team yesterday morning. 

“Based on their narration and supporting documentary proofs, it would seem that the NBI team was actually engaged in a legitimate operation,” she said.

But she clarified that the operation was “under a cloud of doubt” after it was found that some members of the team were confidential NBI agents.

“As you know, we no longer recognize confidential agents. I had their authorities revoked or cancelled already,” she added.

With that, De Lima also directed Rojas to determine “what legal actions may be taken in relation to the engagement of confidential agents” and to submit a report as soon as possible.

PNP to look into allegation of partisan politics

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is ready to look into allegations that some cops engaged in partisan politics during the election period, following Revilla’s allegation that some members of the Cavite police were favoring select local politicians in the wake of the incident at his house. – With Alexis Romero