De Lima: Probe into Kiram conspirators underway

TEAMS from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have been scattered in Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Metro Manila to gather evidence against Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his possible conspirators in the ongoing standoff in Malaysia, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Monday.

She said some personalities will be summoned to know their participation or if they have knowledge regarding the plan to take over Sabah by Kiram's followers, who have already been branded as terrorists by the Malaysian authorities for killing eight policemen in an encounter last March 1.

"We are giving them the free hand who to subpoena for the purpose of questioning," said de Lima, adding the deputy directors of the NBI will join the probe since President Benigno Aquino III reportedly wanted a comprehensive result.

The Philippine National Police (PNP)-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) is also part of the fact-finding committee on the Sabah incident.

De Lima said she asked agents not to leak details regarding the investigation so as to avoid premature conclusion. Last February, de Lima threatened to relieve agents who disclosed the voluminous NBI report on the deadly Atimonan, Quezon, shooting incident to some members of the press.

The NBI, which filed multiple murder charges against security forces involved in the crime, has yet to come up with a result of its internal probe. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)