MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III has sacked two ranking officials of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said axed were Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala, both deputy directors of the NBI.
She said Atty. Ricardo Pangan Jr. will replace Esmeralda and Atty. Antonio Pagatpat will take Lasala’s post.
Other new appointees are Atty. Edward Villarta replacing Deputy Director Rickson Chion who retired last November, 2013 and Jose Doloiras replacing Virgilio Mendez who was appointed as head of the NBI.
“The four new appointees will be joining the NBI Directorial Staff along with Director Mendez, Assistant Director Medardo De Lemos and Deputy Directors Edmundo Arugay and Rafael Ragos,” De Lima said.
The Justice Chief said the reorganization of the NBI aims at “ensuring the integrity and competency of our nation’s premier investigative agency.”
Last year, De Lima said deputy directors of the NBI should have resigned instead of NBI Director Nonnatus Rojas.
Rojas resigned after President Aquino said there were “less trustworthy” officials at the NBI.
Although he refused to give names, Aquino said the NBI officials have links to the two senators linked to the pork barrel scam.
But when asked for reasons why the two were removed from their post, De Lima said in a text message that “they are presidential appointees, hence, they serve at the pleasure of the President. No need to cite a particular reason.”
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