NBI ‘sexy dance’ scandal probed

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the officials and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation who reportedly hired female dancers to perform a sexy intermission number during the NBI’s command conference last month.

“I don’t know if this is common in command conferences. But we will look into it,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters yesterday.

Remulla said some facts of the matter have been revealed to him, including the person who invited the dancers and the NBI officials present during the conference.

The DOJ will investigate if hiring such performers during official NBI gatherings has been a recurring incident, he said.

Three female NBI agents recorded in the video had been summoned by the DOJ to divulge facts about the incident.

The viral video that circulated on social media last week showed the sexy dancers performing during the two-day command conference at the Diamond Hotel in Manila last month.

NBI Director Medardo de Lemos said the meeting was meant to promote camaraderie among officers.

Remulla said it was time for Filipinos to revisit the culture of “sexualized” entertainment.

“This incident is an embarrassment. We never wanted this to happen and maybe we should look at our culture as Filipinos. I hope even noontime shows would also stop making children dance and making them dress up inappropriately,” he said.

‘Observe etiquette’

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. reminded members of the DILG and Philippine National Police (PNP) to observe etiquette amid the sexy dance scandal in the NBI.

“Even if you are police or the NBI, people go to you if they have problems. So it goes without saying that it is important that we should be cautious with our actions. Etiquette is important. We need to be respected,” Abalos said.

De Lemos has apologized over the sexy intermission dance number.

“Let’s avoid this kind of event, although I am not aware of the entire story. Let’s try to avoid this as it will speak for the office,” Abalos said.

The DILG chief said he could not say if the apology of Lemos was enough until he sees the video.

“I have yet to see the video, but I heard about it. I have to check first. What is important is we follow the law. There is this etiquette that we should follow as we are representing the government,” Abalos said.

The DOJ, which supervises the NBI, said the bureau should review its decorum protocols and reinforce professionalism to prevent a repeat of the incident.

DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said the performance of sexy dancers during the NBI conference may be due to “misjudgment, lack of awareness and sensitivity” on the part of the organizing team.

Comedian and television personality Long Mejia explained his participation in the NBI mess.

Mejia said a friend invited him along with three female dancers to perform during the NBI conference.

“I did not see anything wrong with what the dancers did. They were entertainers,” he said.

Mejia clarified that he did not receive payment for his appearance in the event.

He refused to name the person who invited him.

Mejia uploaded the video of the sexy dance number on his social media account.

Dera case

Meanwhile, Remulla said inmate Jose Adrian Dera, who allegedly had been going in and out of the NBI detention facility in Manila, “influenced” the cases of other detainees.

“It’s a good thing that what happened to Dera occurred because we discovered his activities within the NBI,” Remulla said. “He influenced other investigations of the people incarcerated there because he is the one acting as prison mayor or boss.”

Dera’s supposed excursions were revealed last month after he and six other NBI agents were caught on their way back to the detention facility.

Remulla said the DOJ is looking into the cases that Dera may have influenced, including the retraction of the 10 suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo. — Mark Ernest Villeza