Santiago disbands NBI task force

MANILA, Philippines — Following a controversial operation involving nine Chinese linked to a suspected Philippine offshore gaming operator site in Malolos, Bulacan, National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago ordered the immediate dissolution of an NBI special task force and the relief of its 13 operatives, including the unit chief.

Santiago also directed the NBI internal affairs division to conduct a thorough investigation into the actions of the entire unit, considered as an elite group in the agency.

The move comes after the task force raided a resort in Malolos City using a search warrant that bears an address for Sta. Rita town in Pampanga – a discrepancy that could render the case easily dismissible in court.

“They misled the court, which issued a search warrant bearing a wrong address,” Santiago explained.

He also ordered agents to return any personal item taken from the Chinese workers, after receiving reports that some of the operatives took personal belongings, including wristwatches, during the raid.

Aside from the 13, the NBI chief said the task force members not directly involved in the operation and currently reassigned to other units or in regional offices were included in the internal probe.

Santiago is set to meet with the legal counsel of the Chinese workers today to discuss the filing of administrative or criminal complaints against the involved agents.

The Chinese workers are in the custody of the Bureau of Immigration.