De Lima to NBI: Pursue all angles in aide's slay

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima wants a tho-rough investigation into the killing of one of his close-in aides last week, ordering the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into all possible angles. 

De Lima yesterday said the NBI has not yet informed her of any possible motive behind the killing of her aide Alistair Quintos, whether it is personal or work-related. 

“So without a clear lead yet, the NBI should be pursuing all probable angles,” she said.

“The NBI will brief me on their initial findings tomorrow (today),” she added.

NBI deputy director for technical services Reynaldo Esmeralda has confirmed that 32-year-old Quintos was instantly killed by a bullet that pierced his chest, hit the upper and lower lobes of his left and right lung and the left ventricle of his heart before exiting through his back.

Quintos was also found to have several cuts and wounds in different parts of the body, including “bizarre” bite marks on his right cheek and left arm.

Quintos’ body was recovered in Garlang village in San Ildefonso, Bulacan last Friday.

Esmeralda said they have yet to identify the killer and establish the motive behind the killing.  

De Lima admitted that her aide’s killing shocked her, saying she would not discount it as a threat to her.