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Wednesday, January 08, 2003
Lechon trader tied to NBI operations
CEBU -- The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 will look into the alleged involvement of a Cebuano businessman whose name surfaced in last Monday’s congressional hearing as the alleged owner of a brown Starex van that was used in the Dec. 13 strafing incident in Mandaue City by the NBI.
But Roman Peredo Jr., 43, a lechon trader in Mandaue City, denied he participated in that controversial National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operation, saying he has not even visited the NBI 7 office in Cebu City lately.
“It really surprised me a lot why my name was dragged into the case. I have not participated in any NBI operations,” Peredo told Sun.Star in a phone interview Tuesday.
It was Rep. Etta Rosales who mentioned Peredo’s name during the first congressional inquiry at the Sacred Heart Center last Monday.
Rosales (Party-list, Akbayan) said that while she was presiding over the hearing, a walk-in informant asked the House committee to check the name of Peredo as the possible owner of the brown Starex van.
Michael Monsod, the injured Plantation Bay Mitsu-bishi van driver, insisted that a brown Starex van blocked their path when they reached Barangay Looc, Mandaue City past 2 a.m. that day.
But the NBI 7 agents said during the hearing that there was no Starex van involved as they used only three vehicles—a Nissan pickup, Toyota Revo and a Pajero.
If there was indeed a Starex van, this raises the possibility that more agents and civilians took part in the operation.
The NBI 7 men declined to identify other confidential agents during the House hearing.
When asked, two NBI agents confirmed that Peredo was a former civilian agent but said the businessman doesn’t own a brown Starex van, only delivery trucks for his piggery business and a Mercedez Benz.
“We will now include him (Peredo) in our investigation. We will determine if he is involved or not,” said CIDG 7 Deputy Chief Ritchie Posadas.
In related developments:
* Rosales, chairperson of the House committee on civil, political and human rights, called the attention of the Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) about the “anomalous” participation of former dyAB reporter Paul Lauro in a delicate NBI operation.
Rosales described this as conflict of interest because Lauro cannot be a reporter and at the same time a covert NBI agent.
All former civilian agents, including Lauro, will be summoned to appear in the next congressional hearing. They will be cited for contempt if they won’t show up, Rosales said.
* Lauro’s lawyer, Paul Oaminal, assured that his client will attend the next House inquiry if summoned by the committee.
* The CIDG 7 said new witnesses in the vicinity confirmed the presence of a van with plate numbers FEB 285 among the vehicles that chased the bullet-riddled Plantation Bay Mitsubishi van.
* Rep. Antonio Cuenco (Cebu City, south) clarified that he has no conflict with the statement of lawyer Fritz Quiñanola that the right against self-incrimination is guaranteed in the Constitution and the Congress’ rules governing inquiry in aid of legislation.
But Cuenco said that asking for the identities of the civilians who took part in the Dec. 13 operation could not prejudice the NBI 7 agents.
* Cebu Gov. Pablo Garcia said it would be wise for the House of Representatives to determine the authority given to the NBI and if these can be delegated “to persons not integral to the unit.”
The incident “should alert the NBI and other government agencies of the possible undesirable complications of hiring civilians to do the job the government,” said Garcia, a lawyer and a former congressman.
* Ombudsman Director Virginia Santiago said she is waiting for the CIDG 7 to submit the names of four more people identified during last Monday’s hearing, for inclusion in their investigation.
The names of David Pantano, Allan Magallon, Rick Cruz and Noe Dimaunahan were mentioned as civilian agents when the CIDG 7 submitted its report during the hearing.
The House committee noted the agency’s “gross negligence” in the Dec. 13 operation that almost killed five Plantation Bay resort employees.
It asked why the rules of engagement were not followed and why civilians were hired for a “sensitive” operation.
Peredo admitted he was a former NBI 7 confidential agent but that was during the stint of former NBI 7 Director Anthony Leongson, the predecessor of Romulo Manapsal. He also did not join actual operations.
“Why should I risk myself? My role is just a plain informant, dili man ko mokuyog. I’m just helping the bureau,” he said.
Manapsal and five NBI 7 regular agents—Angelito Magno, Arnel Pura, Teodoro Saavedra, Danilo Garay and Rey Tumalon—have been suspended for the strafing incident.
Frustrated murder and attempted murder charges have also been filed against Manapsal and his five agents before the anti-graft office.
In a phone interview, Peredo said he has a top-of-the line 2002 model Club Starex van, which he acquired in October last year.
But the van’s color, he said, is white and its temporary licensed plate is RMP 888 not FEB 285.
Last Dec. 13, he was all the time in his lechon store along the highway in Mandaue City and arrived home at 1:30 a.m. He said a logbook of his house security guard could attest the time of his arrival home.
“If I am summoned to attend the next hearing, I’m willing to attend just to clear my name. I’m just a simple businessman,” Peredo added. GC/With KMF/KNR/Sun.Star Cebu |
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