Gatdula lawyer to Palace, DOJ: Say sorry

MANILA, Philippines - A lawyer of former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) chief Magtanggol Gatdula said yesterday that Malacañang and the Department of Justice (DOJ) should apologize to his client for declaring him a “kidnapper” after a DOJ panel implicated him in the alleged abduction of Japanese woman Noriyo Ohara.

“It was unfair and unjust. Gatdula will not go back to government. No more, but they owe him an apology,” Abraham Espejo said in a text message sent to reporters. “I’m sad that Malacañang declared my client a kidnapper.”

He was reacting to a statement by DOJ Undersecretary Francisco Baraan that they cannot conduct a preliminary investigation against Gatdula due to the absence of a criminal complaint. Baraan said neither Ohara nor her foster family in Pangasinan have filed charges.

The DOJ panel, which Baraan heads, sent their findings to President Aquino, who ordered Gatdula’s dismissal. Espejo said the pronouncements of Baraan only shows the accusations against his client have no factual basis.