Nothing conclusive on axed NBI Director’s guilt says DoJ official

MANILA, Philippines—There is still nothing conclusive regarding the recommendation to file a complaint for kidnapping and serious illegal detention against dismissed National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Magtanggol Gatdula, a ranking official of the Department of Justice (DoJ) told Radyo Inquirer 990AM on Friday morning.

“What we did is only fact finding investigation. We have no conclusive findings there because our duty is to recommend only,” Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan said in an interview.

“But the President [Benigno Aquino III] has read our recommendation. He can remove any official who are serving at his pleasure with or without cause even Director Gatdula has no participation based on our findings,” Baraan said.

Gatdula has been replaced following the recommendation of the DoJ panel chaired by Justice Undersecretary Baraan that he be subjected to a preliminary investigation for kidnapping and serious illegal detention under the Revised Penal Code following the allegations abduction and extortion of Noriyo Ohara or Marife Laganas.

“Just to disabuse the mind of the public, there is still no finding of guilt [but] the President mde the judgment call-that’s his discretion,” Baraan said adding that their recommendation was only to include Gatdula in an administrative investigation, “but the President exercised his discretion as the appointing power.”

The case stemmed after Ohara was taken by the NBI last Oct. 29. Foster family of Ohara said the NBI asked for P15-million in exchange for her release and for not initiating deportation proceedings against her.

Aside from Gatdula, there are other ranking officials of the NBI recommended to be slapped with various criminal complaints. The panel also recommended a major revamp of key officials at the NBI. Tetch Torres, INQUIRER.net