NEWLY-installed National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Magtanggol Gatdula vowed to find Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, who has a standing warrant of arrest for double murder case.
Gatdula said he will adhere to the policy of the bureau of not giving preferential treatment to anybody, including the senator, even if he used to be a subordinate of Lacson.
Gatdula worked under Lacson at the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, some of whose members were similarly charged for the 2000 Dacer-Corbito murders.
“The President and the secretary have spoken. The instructions to follow the rule of law will be done by all members of the bureau,” he noted.
Justice Secretary Leila De Lima disclosed that the feeler coming from Lacson indicated that the senator was sincere in his intention to return to the fold of the law.
“The confidential letter that former NBI Director Nestor Mantaring showed me ay indication na talagang balak niyang bumalik. As to the details I cannot disclose it yet,” she said.
On his assuming the NBI post, Gatdula said he is accepting the challenge of De Lima to go after criminals within the first six months at the helm of the NBI.
“I will ensure that the NBI, as the premier law enforcement agency of the DOJ, fulfills its mandate,” he added.
He pointed out that he will reach out to other agents of the NBI who felt demoralize over the decision of President Benigno Aquino to appoint an “outsider” as head of the bureau.
He said his appointment would serve as an “equalizer” between the two law enforcement agencies, as he vowed to ensure cooperation between the two. (JCV/Sunnex)