Full-circle journey for NBI chief Santiago

MANILA, Philippines — Ninety-four contractual employees of the National Bureau of Investigation were regularized yesterday – a full-circle journey for NBI Director Jaime Santiago.

Santiago started his career as an emergency contractual employee in the NBI.

On Dec. 6, 1977, Santiago, then a criminology student from Manila, was assigned to the Mastername Index Section of the Identification and Records Division.

Tasked with verifying and checking records – an essential but often overlooked role in the agency – his appointment, like those of many job order employees, was renewed every six months, with a mandatory 30-day break in between.

Despite the instability of his employment, Santiago remained committed to his studies at the Philippine College of Criminology and his work at the NBI.

After earning his degree and leaving the agency, Santiago charted a path that would lead him to greater heights in law enforcement and the judiciary.

Santiago has served as a police officer, prosecutor and judge.

Almost five decades after his first day at the NBI, Santiago returned as the agency’s director on June 14, 2024.

With his appointment came a landmark decision that reflected his experience: approving the regularization of 94 employees yesterday, many of whom faced the uncertainty of contractual work.

“Their years of service and dedication were finally recognized with permanent employment,” Santiago said.

3 trafficked Pinoys rescued

Meanwhile, the NBI rescued three Filipinos who were trafficked to Cambodia and forced to work in a cryptocurrency scam.

The victims were recruited in January through an online job post offering a monthly salary of $1,000 for a customer service position in Cambodia.

The victims traveled from Dipolog to Basilan by ferry on Jan. 7, proceeded to Tawi-Tawi, sailed to Sabah in Malaysia, and then reached Phnom Penh on Jan. 17.

Upon arrival in Cambodia, the victims were held at a compound and were forced to use social media to entice elderly foreigners into investing in cryptocurrency.

After a month, the victims received only $300 instead of the promised $1,000 salary.

When they attempted to transfer to another company, the Filipinos were reportedly tortured by their Chinese employers.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian urged the NBI and the Department of Foreign Affairs to repatriate the victims.