NBI exec hits DOJ for clearing Gatdula

MANILA, Philippines - National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy director for intelligence services Reynaldo Esmeralda said yesterday he will ask the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reconsider its decision exonerating former NBI director Magtanggol Gatdula for the attempt on his life in 2012.

For Esmeralda, it seemed that there was a “double standard” in the appreciation of their evidence against Gatdula and 11 other accused.

“How come the affidavit of Perfecto Villanueva is effective as far as Tyrone Ong is concerned, yet it’s not effective against Gatdula. E isang affidavit lang yan?” Esmeralda said.

The ambush try was in connection with Gatdula’s involvement in the alleged kidnapping of Noriyo Ohara in 2011.

According to Villanueva, a retired police officer, Gatdula and Ong ordered him to kill Esmeralda. Gatdula, a former police official, and Ong are business partners.

Ong is currently detained in Camp Crame in connection with graft and malversation charges for the fictitious repair and maintenance of V-150 armored vehicles worth P385.48 million in 2007.

Ong is also a business partner of controversial businessman Cedric Lee, who was reported to have several former police officials as his business partners.

The DOJ said there was no evidence that could corroborate Villanueva’s statement against Gatdula.

Esmeralda also slammed the panel for downgrading the case from frustrated murder to attempted murder.

Esmeralda said a fragment of the bullet that hit his head has yet to be removed. He added that two other bullet fragments are still in his shoulders.

“Not fatal? What do they want, for me to be killed?” Esmeralda said.