6 key officials affected in reshuffle at NBI

Six key officials of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have been affected by a recent reshuffle, which was part of the effort to make the bureau more efficient and effective in carrying out its mandate.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco signed the special order for the reshuffle, which took effect last April 10. The re-assignment of the key bureau officials was duly approved by the Commission on Elections, which imposes a ban on movement of government employees and officials during election period.

Wycoco said the movement in the bureau was part of organizational improvement to give fresh energy to various divisions.

"We’re trying to put the right persons in the right jobs in the bureau," the NBI chief said.

Wycoco said former NBI-Anti-Organized Crime Division (AOCD) chief Ferdinand Lavin is now the chief of the Counter Intelligence Division (CID). Lavin was replaced by Jose Justo Yap, who used to head the Anti-Graft Division (AGD).

He said the AGD is now under Wendell Custodio, who was pulled out from the Investigative Airport Division, which is now under Vermont Ang. The latter used to be with the Complaints and Recording Division (CRD).

Wycoco said Lavin replaced former chief of the CID Rogelio Mamauag, who is now chief of the Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD).

Former IPRD chief Rafael Ragos has been reassigned as a staff member of NBI Deputy Director for Intelligence Service Anthony Liongson.

Wycoco denied that politics had something to do with his decision to reassign key personnel in the bureau.