National Bureau of Investigation-Bacolod chief Philip Pecache yesterday called on all supporters of the bureau to be sober and not to take the law into their own hands.

Pecache made the call in relation to the reported mauling incident on Feb. 4 in Pamplona town, Oriental Negros, that involved "agents" of the local NBI and the policemen of the town. Pecache also said he cannot pass judgment over what had happened and clarified that he did not order the Philippine National Police to seek any independent probe on the matter. He, however, said he welcomes any investigating agencies authorized by law, to look into the incident.

He added that he believes in the rule of law that must take its course, and that, he can not dictate to anyone over what may have transpired.

In Oriental Negros, the officer-in-charge of the Pamplona Plantation Center, Leah Bobon, had filed charges for usurpation of authority against NBI "agents" claiming that, of the four men who allegedly identified themselves as personnel of the bureau in Bacolod, only two were real ones.

The case stemmed from the acts of alleged NBI men in barging into the Pamplona place to serve a search warrant to Korean national Ha Hae Bong for alleged illegal gun possession charges.

The NBI "personnel" were allegedly beaten up by policemen of Pamplona.

The NBI office in Dumaguete City had earlier said that, Chief Insp. Muñez, police deputy director of Oriental Negros, had refused to appear before the fact-finding body of NBI in Region 7 investigating the case, despite the subpoena for him to shed light on the incident.

Muñez had said, according to the NBI Dumaguete, that much has been said on the incident and that his first report to the police regional command, will already suffice.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights in the province had earlier received an order from its regional office, ordering it to conduct a probe, moto propio, and submit its report into the matter.

Special field investigator of the CHR, Jess Cañete, had earlier said that what allegedly happened was a sensitive case since it involved two parties which are both law enforcement agencies.*GCT

back to top