De Lima orders probe into standoff at Revilla mansion

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Tuesday ordered National Bureau of Investigation Director Nonnatus Rojas to look into the circumstances surrounding the standoff at mansion of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. in Cavite on Monday.

“You are hereby directed to thoroughly probe the alleged involvement of NBI personnel particularly allegations that supposed civilian confidential agents of the NBI took part therein,” De Lima said in an order.

De Lima questioned the involvement of six NBI confidential agents who were eventually taken by the provincial police in Imus especially since she has already prohibited the use of confidential agents in legitimate operations.

“You are directed to verify/confirm the actual involvement of NBI agents that resulted in the arrest of a number of them…Determine the proper sanctions if any, that may be imposed against those who may be found accountable for the incident,

De Lima has spoken to the head of NBI-Cavite District Office who told her that the NBI was doing a legitimate operation.

“However, the legitimacy of such operations is now under a cloud of doubt, as it is marred by the admitted presence of alleged confidential agents,” she added.

She also ordered Rojas to determine legal actions to be taken for engaging confidential agents.

Tensions rose at the house of the Revillas after the police from the Regional Public Safety Battalion and the Cavite police surrounded their home around midnight on Sunday following reports that 20 armed men who were being sought for various election offenses were hiding at the Revilla home.