DOJ chief okays NBI OIC’s order to relieve exec from duty over anomaly

FILE PHOTO: DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday that he has approved the recommendation of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Officer-In-Charge Eric Distor to relieve a ranking bureau official for its alleged involvement in an anomalous operation.

Guevarra said he approved the recommendation as there is an internal investigation that is ongoing.

“This, I believe, is a standard operating procedure whenever any NBI official or agent is under investigation by the Internal Affairs Division in order to preserve the evidence and preclude any undue influence during the investigation,” said Guevarra.

“As Secretary of Justice, my interest is to maintain professionalism, discipline, and ethical conduct among the personnel and operatives of the premier investigating agency in our country,” he added.

Relieved was Assistant Regional Director Vic Lorenzo, head of the NBI-Cybercrime Investigation and Assessment Center (CIAC) and Cybercrime Division (CCD).

The DOJ chief said Lorenzo was relieved from his position following the implementation of a “service of a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer data in a certain establishment in Manila last May 31 where some alleged irregularities were observed.”

“No further details could be given at this time, as the matter is being investigated by the Internal Affairs Division of the NBI. We just want to make sure that similar operations in the future will be conducted in a most professional way,” Guevarra said.

Meanwhile, Distor has ordered an immediate review of all pending cyber crime complaints, as well as other operational guidelines and procedures to achieve a more organized standard with regards to the operations being conducted by various NBI units nationwide.

“The NBI will thoroughly re-examine the agency’s guidelines on operations including service of Search Warrant operations, Intelligence operations, and investigation operations,” he said.

“All operational authority must come from the Office of the Director and must be under the control and supervision of the said office, with assistance from the respective Deputy Directors,” added Distor, who also ordered all Regional Directors, Agents-In-Charge, and Central Office Chiefs to submit to the Office of the Director their performance/accomplishment reports for review.

Distor said the re-assessment and revisiting of the NBI’s operational guidelines aim to scale down abuse of authority and increase professionalism among its operatives.

Sought for his reaction, Lorenzo said he respects the action of the DOJ and NBI.

“It is his prerogative,” Lorenzo said in a text message referring to Distor.

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