9 NBI agents deny torture raps

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday described as “trumped up charges” the complaints for torture and planting of evidence filed against nine NBI agents before the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a statement, the bureau said it “takes exception” to the complaint filed against agents of the NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID) by Joyce Manio, mother of NBI detainees Nicasio and Nicholes Manio.

Prior to this, the NBI had filed charges against the Manio brothers, who are police assets tagged in the disappearance of drug suspects in 2021.

The Manios were among the respondents in the kidnapping case filed by the NBI before the Department of Justice against operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (NCRPO).

They were accused of kidnapping in connection with the April 2021 disappearances of Brent Michael Bravo and John Philip Viscarra in San Andres Bukid, Manila; Robert Caidoy, Rexcell Hipolito, Ahjong Dizon and Ivan Serrano in Sta. Cruz, Manila, as well as siblings Gio and Mico Mateos, Garry Matreo and Ronaldo Anonuevo in Cavite.

“We believe that this issue is related to the three cases filed by the NBI against the Manio brothers and the NCRPO,” the NBI said.

The Manio brothers were also tagged in the disappearance of e-sabong players.

The NBI said it has yet to receive a copy of the complaint, but will answer the allegations in the proper forum.

“Rest assured that the NBI will continue to unwaveringly perform its mandate in providing quality service to the public,” the bureau said.

In a 12-page affidavit, the Manios’ mother asked the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and other Law Enforcement Offices to probe TFAID chief Ross Jonathan Galicia as well as NBI agents Eduardo Ramos Jr., Levi Mora Orille, Aubrey Cosidon, Eigelbert Pulan, Abner Dotimas, Nestor Gutierrez, Allan Ernesto Elefante and Gary Menez.

She accused the NBI agents of apprehending her sons at their house in Batangas City on June 8, 2021 without a warrant of arrest.

The agents allegedly beat up the two as they were escorted to the NBI vehicles.

She also alleged that the Manios were sexually abused while being held in the NBI cell.