THE good director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Director-Judge or ‘DJ’ Jimmy Santiago, is highly disappointed over the shocking behavior displayed by one of the bureau’s agents during one recent operation.
While he assured his full support to the agents and personnel of the NBI who perform their duties satisfactorily, he warned those who use the agency to advance their depraved agenda that he will leave them no quarters.
DJ Santiago vowed to dedicate his remaining years in public service to preserve the prestige and excellence of the NBI if not bring them to greater heights.
“The National Bureau of Investigation is the premier investigative agency of the land. Every day, we strive to uphold and further strengthen this reputation,” he stressed.
Last February 15, 2024, a Special Task Force (STF) was created by the DOJ to act on cases involving national security and/or interest and those referred by the Office of the President and the Office of the Secretary of Justice.
It shall also act on such other cases that may be assigned by the Director.
Since then, the STF has proven to be an effective tool for the DOJ and NBI. This was the team that exposed scams such as supposed appointments for sale, impersonators of government officials, and extortionists, among others.
But then, on September 11, 2024, the STF conducted an operation after receiving a complaint from a private individual about a clinic in Makati City that was operating without any medical license and/or accreditation.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Thu Ha aka Mei Naa and her Filipino cohorts identified as Demi Nhor Abelada Robles and Mary Frinces Listones Dalaguite.
The following day, or on September 12, 2024, the subjects were brought to the Office of the City Prosecutor of Makati for inquest proceedings.
For the entire bureau, this was another successful operation, another laurel added to the prestige of the country’s top investigation body.
However, information belatedly reached the Office of the Director that one of the members of the team committed an abhorrent deed during the operation.
This information, DJ Santiago lamentably noted, should have been reported promptly as it affects not only the operation’s credibility but more importantly, the NBI’s reputation.
Acting swiftly, DJ Santiago directed the Internal Affairs Division (IAD) to immediately conduct a meticulous investigation. He simultaneously issued an order grounding the STF, thus prohibiting the conduct of any further operation.
When the investigation report came in as ‘positive’, DJ Santiago himself confronted the agent involved.
In his embarrassment, the agent decided to tender his resignation from the service. It was promptly accepted, of course, by the Director.
Knowing that a mere resignation was not enough, the NBI also filed the appropriate case against the agent before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Makati City.
“The filing of cases underscores the policy of non-tolerance for any improper and irregular behavior. This incident, however, exceeds mere impropriety and irregularity by far. It is illegal, unlawful, unethical, gruesome, grotesque and outright unacceptable,” stressed DJ Santiago.
Unimpeachable sources said that the agent involved committed acts of lasciviousness against one of those arrested.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
DJ Santiago vowed that as long as he leads the NBI, “we will not deviate from our commitment to law and justice, regardless if the destructive forces are from within or without. He thus urged the NBI leadership, its agents and employees, to support him fully in his move to ensure that the NBI is free from miscreants and rogue elements.
Too, he already ordered that the selection process for agents and personnel be sterner, so that “we shall not see nor hear of similar incidents in the future.”
“Lest we forget, the NBI is and should remain to be a place for honorable men and women, dedicating their lives to upholding law and justice. Amidst these halls of honor, there is no place for scoundrels. The good name that was built for years should by no means be destroyed by the same men and women who comprise it. In that way, our hearts shall forever truly pulsate with the fire of Nobility, Bravery and Integrity,” the NBI chief has strongly declared.
Indeed, there is no perfect organization. There will always be bad eggs. But with DJ Santiago at the helm of the NBI, we are assured that these shenanigans won’t go unpunished and mere resignation would never be enough.
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