NBI chief mulls elite unit to probe killings

MANILA, Philippines – Newly-installed National Bureau of Investigation Director Magtanggol Gatdula is studying the creation of an elite unit in the bureau to handle high-profile killings, particularly those of media practitioners.

At a press conference Thursday, Gatdula said he is “toying with the idea” of creating a “Death Investigation Division” in the NBI that will focus on the recent killings of mediamen and other personalities.

“I am currently asking the different divisions for their best investigators,” he stressed.

The NBI director explained that the best investigators from each unit will make up the pool of the Death Investigation Division.

“This pool of investigators will have the awesome task of coming up with results in the probe of the killings,” Gatdula said.

He revealed that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has been given the responsibility of getting results in the recent cases of killings.

Gatdula likewise stressed that the NBI will be concentrating on the investigation of high-profile cases instead of conducting small-scale raids involving minor offenses.

“We will be leaving that job (raids) to the police because our job is to investigate,” he emphasized.

The NBI director added that he is in the process of consultation for the reorganization of the bureau and the rationalization of designations to ensure that agency officials and employees are assigned to the different units based on their specialization.

Source: Inquirer