De Lima installs Esmeralda, Lasala replacements in NBI

MANILA, Philippines — Four new deputy directors of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) took their oaths of office on Friday after the Department of Justice reshuffled top positions and relieved Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala from their posts.

Ricardo Pangan Jr. replaced Lasala as head of special investigation services, while Jose Doloiras succeeded Lasala as head of the intelligence services of the bureau.

Edward Villarta and Antonio Pangatpat, meanwhile, were appointed as new deputy director for forensic investigation and deputy director for financial services, respectively.

The four new senior officials were sworn into office by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

Also read: 2 NBI execs who refused to quit relieved

De Lima said she sacked Esmeralda and Lasala for their alleged "lingering integrity issues."

The two former officials, however, denied De Lima's accusations and said that there are two other NBI key players close to De Lima are involved in anomalous practices.

Read: Axed NBI exec: Officials close to De Lima met with Napoles