SP probe up on fake NBI raids, NBI intel assets

By Florence F. Hibionada

Domingo Oso

The Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) will conduct an investigation in aid of legislation relative to the raids made by a gang who introduced themselves as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).  With the ‘raid scare’ hitting internet cafes, business establishments and even government agencies throughout Iloilo, nearby provinces were not spared of the trouble, inconvenience and lost revenues caused by the suspects.

Yet to be identified with no charges filed as of date, Fourth District Board Member Domingo Oso Jr. called for the SP action in a privilege delivered during Tuesday’s regular session.

“The raids conduced by alleged NBI men spread like fire and alarmed the provinces of Antique, Capiz and Iloilo.  The groups’ illegal operation has resulted to the sudden closure of several commercial establishments and panic among government offices in Iloilo, Aklan, Antique and Capiz,” Oso said in his speech.  “In my district alone the 4th district, the fake NBI personnel raided Passi Trade School on September 21, 2005 but were unsuccessful in confiscating the computers because the school personnel hid the computers from the ‘raiding team.’  The same group attempted the San Enrique Agricultural College but they were detected by our police and the confiscation was not consummated.”

And there’s more reason to investigate, Oso continued, as he went on to express his dismay over the recent release of three men in NBI custody, earlier collared for seeking the reproduction of 15 NBI identification cards.  The trio – Alfredo Ang, Paul Ofracio and an unidentified companion got overnight ‘fame’ with extensive media reports generated by their ‘arrest.’  Reporter Femia Pedregosa alerted real NBI agents of the trio’s visit to Malones Printing Press where they were stopped upon leaving the premises.

No charges were lodged against the trio for misrepresenting themselves as bureau agents.

“The release your honor is questionable and highly irregular.  My informant disclosed that a former NBI director talked to the new NBI Director Atty. Sison to release Alfredo Ang and company otherwise the NBI will be put in a bad light.  My informant also disclosed that this Alfredo Ang is allegedly closely identified with former Regional Director Oscar Embido.  Furthermore, I am also informed that non-organic personnel of NBI Region VI known as assets were organized, trained for intelligence gathering and these assets may have used fake NBI IDs for reasons other than the mandate they were established,” Board Member Oso went on.

The SP probe will be handled by the Committee on Public Order and Safety chaired by Board Member Angelo Briones.