NBI ‘takes exception’ to complaints filed against agents

Composite image from INQUIRER.net file photos

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday denied the complaints filed against agents of its Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID) and its chief for alleged torturing, planting of evidence and sexual abuse.

“The NBI takes exception to the reported torture, planting of evidence and rape by the NBI-TFAID personnel and its Chief,” the NBI said in a statement in response to the complaint lodged before the Office of the Ombudsman.

According to the NBI, the issue is related to the cases filed by NBI-TFAID against brothers Nicasio Manio and Nicholes Manio, who were implicated in the case of the missing online cockfighting operators.

“Up to date, no copy of the formal complaint has been received in relation to the allegations being publicized against NBI-TFAID,” the NBI said.

“Nonetheless, once furnished with the same, the NBI will answer all the allegations in accordance with the legal procedure in the proper forum,” it added.

To recall, the Manio brothers’ mother, Joyce Manio filed several criminal and administrative complaints against eight agents of NBI-TFAID, and its chief, Atty. Ross Jonathan Galicia.

Manio accused the agents of arresting her sons without a warrant, beating them and presenting them with illegal drugs and paraphernalia supposedly confiscated from their house before forcing them to sign documents without explaining their details.

She also accused Galicia of sexually abusing both her sons after getting them drunk.

Both the Manio brothers were arrested on June 8, 2021, in their house in Pallocan, Batangas, as suspects in the cockfighting operators’ case.

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JPV