MANILA, Philippines ? The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has taken over the investigation into the killing of one of its agents, who was stabbed and shot to death Tuesday night by robbers who pulled a heist on a passenger jeepney in Tondo.

Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo Jr., the head of the Manila Police District (MPD) homicide section said that the wife of slain NBI special investigator III Gil Yanesa, 40, assigned with the anti-kidnapping, hijacking and armed robbery division (AKHARD), and a resident of Zaragosa Street in Tondo, had personally asked the homicide section to turn over the case to the NBI.

Margarejo said that Yanesa?s widow, Hardiolyn, explained that since her husband was connected with the NBI, it would be better for the agency to conduct the probe on his death.

"She signed a waiver requesting us not to investigate and allow the NBI to conduct the investigation," he stressed.

Margarejo, nevertheless, said, ?Although the NBI would be conducting the investigation, we will still help them in the probe.?

He explained that all information that the homicide investigators would obtain pertaining to the case would be shared with the NBI.

On Tuesday night, at around 8 p.m., three armed men announced a heist in a passenger jeepney (NXB 746) plying the Quiapo-Divisioria/North Harbor route while it was cruising along Road 10 near the corner of Lakandula Street in Tondo.

Yanesa, who was among the passengers, attempted to fight off the robbers but was stabbed and shot by the assailants, who immediately jumped off the PUJ and fled.

Suspects Ronel Restugese, 27, of Mabuhay Street in Tondo; Joel Azarcon; and a certain ?Pepeng,? were arrested hours after the heist in follow-up operations. All have been turned over to the custody of the NBI.

The NBI special investigator III was declared dead on arrival by attending doctors at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Hospital.