CEBU, Philippines - Six months after a memorandum of agreement was signed between the Province of Cebu and the National Bureau of Investigation, the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an NBI regional office in the province-owned lot at Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City was held yesterday.
Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and NBI officials attended the activity.
Garcia said that yesterday’s occasion further strengthened the dynamic relationship of cooperation and collaboration between the provincial government of Cebu and the NBI.
“This relationship must continue. Not only continue, it must flourish,” Garcia said.
Garcia stressed that having the new building does not only benefit NBI but also Cebu because working closely as well as with other law enforcement agencies ensures the safety and security of constituents and the millions of visitors that continue to visit the province.
Cebu is now the number one tourist destination in the entire country as well as the biggest attraction for potential investors who may wish to invest in Cebu.
“Confidence has been bolstered because peace and order is of utmost priority to this provincial government,” Garcia said.
Garcia lauded NBI-7 for being the top performing regional office in the entire country.
“Kinsa pa man diay atong ipartner (who else should we work with) but one agency that is in step with our direction for excellence and nothing less,” she said.Garcia made the offer a year ago during the visit of then NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula and other NBI officials at the Capitol where the need for the NBI to transfer to a more spacious area was discussed.
The new building for the NBI-7 will serve as a “decent home” befitting a law enforcement agency which plays a major role in keeping Cebu safe.
Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre said the construction of the two-storey building will be finished in six months.
Sec. de Lima said she was grateful for the support given by the provincial government to the NBI-7.
NBI OIC Nonnatus Caesar Rojas, who was one of those who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony, also thanked the provincial government’s generosity.
“The entire bureau walang masasabi except thank you for the trust and the building is very momentous…,” Rojas said during his speech.
Rojas is also the current State Prosecutor of Region 1. He was appointed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
He lauded the NBI-7 for being a top performing bureau in the entire country last year after solving several crimes to include child trafficking, pornography and human trafficking as well as the Ellah Joy Pique case.
The arrest of Bella Ruby Santos in Manila was also one of NBI-7’s accomplishments. Rojas warned his personnel of anomalies and irregularities and reminded them to focus on their responsibilities.
“Though cases are filed, it will not mean that our job is done unless the suspect is already convicted,” Rojas said. (FREEMAN)