Imee Marcos wants more high-tech equipment for NBI’s improvement

NBI logo over a shot of the facade of its headquarters

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Imee Marcos is advocating for more high-technology equipment for the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to improve the efficiency of its functions and duties.

In an ambush interview after the groundbreaking ceremony of a P2.4 billion modern NBI building in Manila on Saturday, Marcos emphasized that the agency would be more effective if equipped with modern technology.

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“Alam naman natin kahon lang ito, bahay lang to ‘no,” she said, referring to the soon-to-rise building.

(We know this is just a box; it’s just a house, right?)

“We are in the high-tech age of crime, we’re half less violent but apparently less insidious but very very lucrative so therefore we are aware that criminal syndicates now invest heavily in technology and know-how, and the NBI cannot be left behind,” the senator added.

Marcos also stressed the need for more personnel, as most investigations in the country fall to the NBI.

“Lahat nalang ng imbestigasyon bumabagsak sa NBI. kung tutuusin ‘yung AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] mayroon mayroon, ‘yung CIDG [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group] at tsaka ‘yung intel services ng PNP [Philippine National Police] mayroon, sa puno’t dulo ang tinatakbuhan pa rin ‘yung NBI,” she said, referring to modern equipment.

(All investigations end up with the NBI. In fact, the AFP has one, the CIDG and the intelligence services of the PNP have their own, but in the end, they still turn to the NBI.)

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Marcos, along with Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, was one of the guests at the ceremony, which will house the NBI’s administrative and operations departments and specialist investigative division by 2027.

Meanwhile in his speech, NBI Director Medardo de Lemos mentioned that more buildings are being constructed at different NBI offices nationwide.

“This is our collective dream, our aspirations,” he said.

“Hindi lang ito ang ginawang ngayon. Ngayong taon na ito, mayroon pa tayong anim na regional at district offices na sabay-sabay ginagawa,” he added.

(This is not the only thing being done now. This year, we have six more regional and district offices being constructed simultaneously.)

Regarding manpower, de Lemos announced that the agency is set to recruit more personnel in July and August.