'NBI agent' threatens 2 government executives in traffic row

MANILA, Philippines – A man who claimed to be a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent threatened two high-ranking government officials yesterday following a traffic dispute that occurred as the officials were on their way to Malacañang Palace.

Lawyer Ma. Anthonette Allones, executive director of the Career Executive Service Board (CESB), was in a private vehicle with Palace Undersecretary Jojie Aragon. She said they were cruising along A.H. Lacson Street in Manila turning left on Dapitan street when they were cut off by a light-colored Foton vehicle (NIA-114) at around 11:30 a.m.

A man who identified himself as an NBI agent brandished a handgun and threatened Allones and her driver, saying they “cut” him. Allones was on her way to an event she was supposed to preside over with President Arroyo.

“Sino ka ba? Kilala nyo ba ako? Taga NBI ako! Imbestigador ako! (Who are you? Do you know who I am? I’m with the NBI. I’m an investigator),” the man shouted at her.

She said she saw the man’s identification card with the surname “Bocaling” printed on it and another ID card with the markings of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Allones said the man also threatened her driver and asked if he had a gun.

She said the man appeared to be drunk or high on drugs.

She said she courteously identified herself as a “fellow government employee” but the man continued to rant and pounced on Aragon and asked her who she was. Aragon apologized for whatever inconvenience they may have caused and the man threatened to “teach (them) a lesson.” Allones said they were so frightened they were not able to eat lunch.

A check with the Land Transportation Office showed that the Foton vehicle was registered to a certain “Zenaida Bocaling,” she said, adding that what the man did could be considered grave threats under the Revised Penal Code.

“I will write to NBI Director (Nestor) Mantaring so that he can immediately act on the matter,” she told The STAR.

The CESB is the governing body of the Career Executive Service and is mandated to promulgate rules standards and procedures on the selection, classification, compensation and career development of members of the CES.

The CESB is composed of eight members serving with a fixed term of six years.

Allones did not say whether she raised the matter with Mrs. Arroyo.