NBI-7 agent now with Homeland Security

CEBU, Philippines - For her active role in the fight against cybercrimes and pornography, an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 is given a chance to work with the US Department of Homeland Security.

Agent Jed Hife, with some officers of US Embassy from Manila, paid a courtesy call on Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale yesterday to inform them of her new job.

Hife and the US officials, however, refused to be interviewed.

Hife is set to leave Cebu tomorrow.

Hife had worked with the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC) led by its co-chairperson, Magpale, in the prosecution of cybercrime cases.

 PWC sought the help of a computer forensic expert from the US Department of Homeland Security to gather evidence in the computer.

“The US Embassy noticed how efficient Jed was during the operations. They were also impressed with the prosecution,” Magpale said.

In a closed door meeting, Magpale said she got an assurance from the US Department of Homeland Security that they will work with PWC under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

“They promised we can still call Jed anytime,” she said.

 Magpale said under the treaty, they can still ask the US experts to come like what other groups such as the International Justice Mission is doing.

Magpale said that the NBI 7 also assured her of finding somebody who is as good as Hife to work for the PWC.

In June 2011, Hife led the NBI operatives in raiding the house of a couple presenting three of their own children and a niece naked in front of a computer-mounted camera in Cordova town.

The raid was carried out with the assistance of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency under the Department of Homeland Security.

Magpale said the case of the Cordova couple is almost done and it is now the respondent couple’s turn to present their counter affidavits and evidences in court.

The PWC still has several cases involving cyberpornography pending in court.

Few months ago, Hife also led the filing of complaints against the suspects of human trafficking after NBI 7 together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the IJM conducted the operation at a bar in Cebu City wherein 26 women were rescued.  (FREEMAN)