DOJ panel recommends raps vs NBI chief, 5 others in extortion mess

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking the criminal indictment of National Bureau of Investigation Director Magtanggol Gatdula and other ranking officials of the agency implicated in the alleged kidnapping and extortion of an undocumented Japanese woman last year.

A fact-finding panel, chaired by DOJ Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, recommended in its report to the Palace the filing of charges of kidnapping for ransom and extortion against Gatdula, Deputy Director Rickson Chiong, Assistant Director Medardo de Lemos, security and management division (SMD) head Mario Garcia and his executive officer Jose Odellon Cabillan.

A copy of the report, obtained by The STAR, cited evidence showing the alleged participation of the SMD officials in extorting a total of P6 million from Noriyo Ohara in three instances from October to November, as alleged by Ohara’s foster family, who said they delivered the money.

Gatdula, whose one-month leave from office ended Monday, was implicated in the charges after it was found during the investigation of the DOJ panel that he was “seen going down to the SMD office after the alleged payment of ransom was made.”

The report also took note of Cabillan’s testimony in recommending criminal action against the NBI director. It cited direct and circumstantial evidence in implicating the other officials.

Garcia and Cabillan were put on “floating status” after the incident.

Baraan said the decision on their recommendation is now in the hands of President Aquino.

Ohara flew to the country in 2009 and assumed a Filipino identity to allegedly escape the Japanese crime gang Yakuza, which wanted her killed. From then on, she stayed with the Marzan family in Bugallon, Pangasinan until SMD agents arrested her for immigration violations last Oct. 28, 2011.