De Lima: “Why was there alcohol within the NBI premises? That’s a grave violation.” JOSEPH VIDAL/PRIB FILE PHOTO
A birthday party in the office of the National Bureau of Investigation where hard drinks were reportedly served on Friday ended with the shooting of an agent by a colleague, leading to the relief of Manuel George Jularbal, NBI director for the National Capital Region, for “command responsibility” in connection with the incident.
Several other NBI agents and employees present during the party were also sacked.
“Why was there alcohol within the NBI premises? That’s a grave violation,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters.
The NBI has charged agent Nestor Pascual with frustrated homicide after he shot and wounded special investigator Joselito Guillen of the bureau’s intelligence division during a party for another agent in the regional office.
Guillen suffered four gunshot wounds and is now recovering at Manila Doctor’s Hospital.
Prompted by the incident, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo on Monday filed a bill seeking a total ban on liquor and alcohol in all government offices.
While as a general rule such drinks are banned in public offices, he said, it is usually implemented on a case to case basis, depending on the discretion of the heads of the agencies.
“It’s about time we make all government offices and premises an alcohol-free zone,” Castelo said in a statement.
He added that he was dismayed at reports that an apparently drunk NBI agent shot his colleague who reportedly attempted to remove the magazine from the former’s gun as a safety precaution.
“This is a deplorable incident that could have been avoided had a more stringent liquor ban been in place,” the lawmaker added.
Castelo said a total liquor ban spelled out in a law would make it clear that alcohol drinks should not be allowed in government offices, and that each employee must follow the order without exception.
It would also mean that anyone violating the rule would be penalized with fines, suspension, or removal from office public office, he added.