Ex-NBI executive found shot dead: Cops eye suicide, but NBI to probe death

MANILA, Philippines - Former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy director Alejandro Tenerife was found dead, with a gunshot wound in his right temple, at his house in Katarungan Village, Muntinlupa City Friday night. He was 69.

City police chief Superintendent Eleazar Matta could not say if there was foul play involved since a suicide note was found on the victim’s bedside table. In the note, Tenerife – who served as deputy director for special investigation at the NBI – discussed his illnesses and asked his family for forgiveness, he said.

“We will not yet discount the possibility of a foul play unless proven otherwise during the investigation. But this is likely a suicide case because he left a note,” Matta said.

According to Matta, househelp Jane Baria discovered Tenefire’s body on a mat in his room at around 6 p.m. A handgun was found beside his body, according to the NBI.

Baria said her employer had been complaining of some kind of illness for some time. She added that Tenerife frequently vomited and had difficulty sleeping.

In a phone interview with The STAR, Dante Pua of the Office of the NBI Director said NBI chief Magtanggol Gatdula gave an order Friday night to investigate Tenerife’s death, but “we cannot make a comment or give any details.” The victim’s family also refused to comment on his death.

According to information gathered by The STAR, the gun may have been fired very near or almost in contact with Tenerife’s head. The bullet has been extracted from the victim’s body and paraffin tests have been conducted. The room was also not in disarray, which indicates that there was no struggle.

Sources said the suicide note, now possessed by the NBI, said the agents “recognized the signature as that of the deputy’s.” A draft report is being written and set to be finished by today, sources said.