NBI Cebu to handle mayor’s slay probe

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will take over the probe of the killing of Clarin, Misamis Occidental Mayor David Navarro, an official of the Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday.

DOJ Undersecretary and spokesman Markk Perete said the NBI’s regional office in Cebu would take over the investigation into Navarro’s killing following the instruction of President Duterte.

The President said he suspected policemen were involved in the killing of Navarro last week. On Monday, he ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stop its probe and allow the NBI to take over.

Even in the absence of an order from the DOJ, the NBI should already begin its probe since the order came straight from the President, Perete said.

“The President has control over the entire executive department, including the PNP and the NBI. His directive should therefore be sufficient for the NBI to commence its probe. Nevertheless, and purely for record-keeping purposes, the DOJ shall issue a Department Order reiterating the President’s directive to the NBI,” Perete said.

Perete explained Duterte’s order to transfer the investigation to the NBI should also dispel doubts that the President was involved in the mayor’s killing. Navarro was reportedly included in Duterte’s list of narco-politicians.

“Given the circumstances surrounding the killing of Clarin mayor Navarro, the President’s directive for the NBI to take over the investigation of the incident should quell any doubts regarding this government’s commitment to solve the case and bring to account those responsible,” Perete said.

Navarro was killed in an ambush while he was being transported by police for inquest in Cebu City last Friday. The mayor was killed a day after he was arrested for beating up a massage therapist and supposedly asking for sexual favors from another.

The gunmen reportedly blocked the police convoy escorting the mayor and subdued the policemen at gunpoint before shooting Navarro at close range.

The police investigation also focused on possible lapses of the police escorts that could have prevented the killing.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco

Gamboa said they were not offended by Duterte’s directive to transfer to the NBI the probe on Navarro’s murder.

“The commander-in-chief has already spoken. The investigation will be given to the NBI and this a direct order,” he said.

Gamboa has directed Central Visayas police director Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon to give all the documents related to Navarro’s case to the NBI.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson supported Duterte’s move to let the NBI take over the investigation.

He noted Duterte himself expressed suspicions that policemen may have been involved.

“Considering a number of so-called narco-politicians being killed earlier with no resolution of their cases, the President did the right thing by ordering the NBI to take over the investigation of the Navarro ambush-killing,” Lacson said.

Lacson suggested the NBI should also investigate other similar high-profile killings involving elected officials. – Emmanuel Tupas, Paolo Romero