NBI, PNP pact on drug war probe signed

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice yesterday made public a copy of the memorandum of agreement signed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police to probe the government’s war on drugs and determine the possible criminal liability of PNP members involved in anti-narcotics operations.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar and NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor signed the agreement last Wednesday in the presence of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

Guevarra said the NBI and PNP have joined forces to probe and prosecute alleged human rights violations, particularly the deaths of drug suspects.

“As state agencies, both parties seek to ascertain the truth regarding the allegations of human rights violations and criminal liability of the police in the conduct of the government’s anti-drug operations,” the three-page agreement read.

Under case buildup by the NBI are 52 anti-narcotics operations that resulted in the deaths of 56 people.