NBI agents engage in rumble in Quezon City bar

MANILA, Philippines — An agent of the National Bureau of Investigation was beaten by his colleagues during an altercation in a Quezon City bar on Saturday night, prompting calls for disciplinary action from senior NBI members.

Initial accounts by investigators, which were provided to The STAR, showed that the altercation stemmed from long-running personal tensions involving NBI agents Erwyn Marasigan, Manny Bocaling and a certain Ara, who were said to have had previous disagreements dating back to their academy days.

Bocaling is the son of NBI assistant director Noel Bocaling.

Witnesses said the younger Bocaling was in a bar with a batchmate when Marasigan arrived with several companions.

Bocaling reportedly went to the upper floor and contacted his batchmates for assistance.

When reinforcements arrived, a confrontation ensued, during which the group allegedly attacked Marasigan.

In the scuffle, a member of Marasigan’s team hit another NBI agent on the head, knocking him unconscious, before the group scattered as police arrived at the scene.

At least one of the NBI agents involved in the altercation was bloodied.

Members of the NBI Academy Batch 47/18 caondemned the assault.

“Such conduct is intolerable, unprofessional and a blatant violation of the standards of discipline, respect and integrity that bind every member of the NBI,” the batch said in a statement.

They urged the NBI leadership to take “swift, decisive and unequivocal action” against the agents involved, saying the incident “undermines order within the organization and casts a shadow on the reputation of the NBI.”

The NBI has yet to release a statement as the investigation into the incident continues.