Marcos accepts Santiago’s resignation as NBI chief

Magno named OIC director

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has accepted the resignation of National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago and appointed assistant director Lito Magno as the NBI’s officer-in-charge.

Santiago confirmed this yesterday during a flag-raising ceremony at the NBI headquarters in Pasay, where he bid farewell to employees and thanked them for their support.

“Today I was informed that the President finally accepted my irrevocable resignation,” Santiago said. “In the coming days, an order will be issued appointing your new leader. Thank you for your support during my stint here. Please continue the good work we have started.”

Santiago said his successor would come from the NBI. Malacañang may announce the appointment within the week.

“I won’t say yet who will replace me. I might get ahead of the Palace,” Santiago told The STAR.

Prior to his appointment, Magno headed the NBI regional office in Central Luzon and Northern Mindanao where he led operations against human trafficking, organized crime and fraud.

He was also among the NBI officials who spearheaded the operation that led to the arrest of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo in Indonesia on Sept. 4, 2024.

In his resignation letter submitted to the President in August, Santiago said “detractors and those who have sinister interest” in his position have “incessantly” made moves to “tarnish his reputation.”

Santiago said he plans to lead a private life after leaving government service.

When asked if he would accept another government position, he replied, “We’ll cross the bridge when we get there.”

Santiago, a former judge and police sharpshooter, was appointed by Marcos as NBI director on June 14, 2024, replacing Medardo de Lemos.

His priorities include strengthening the NBI’s campaign against cybercrime.

Before joining the NBI, Santiago served as presiding judge of the regional trial courts in Manila and Tagaytay. He was also a former assistant city prosecutor of Manila.

He spent more than two decades with the Manila Police District, where he gained recognition as a top marksman and member of the Special Weapons and Tactics team.

A criminology graduate of the Philippine College of Criminology and law graduate of the Manuel L. Quezon University, Santiago also taught criminal law and served as an officer in various judges’ associations.

He was among the 10 Outstanding Policemen of the Philippines in 2009 and was recognized as an Outstanding Criminologist by the Professional Regulation Commission in 2012.