NBI to review cases at medico legal division

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has ordered a "discreet" review and investigation of all cases at its Medico Legal Division in the aftermath of the arrest of its division chief during an entrapment operation.

"There is a discreet review of the cases handled by the Medico Legal Division under Dr. Maximo Reyes to determine any pattern of possible irregularities," an official of the NBI told The STAR.

Although the review would not be easy as the results have been submitted to different courts, the source said the bureau has to get the job done to remove doubt in people’s mind.

The NBI’s Medico Legal Division is considered one of the most sensitive units as it is the bureau’s eye in establishing evidence against criminal suspects.

Reyes was apprehended after allegedly extorting P200,000 from Dr. Linette Chan, who owns a hospital in Carmen, Pangasinan.

Chan said the money was in exchange for a favorable medico legal report on a female patient who died at her hospital due to loss of blood or complication arising from cesarean operation.

Reyes has been with the NBI for 30 years now with untainted record.

On Saturday, NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco ordered the immediate relief of Reyes from his post and announced that the bureau is now scouting for Reyes’ replacement.

"We consider this as a big burden but we have to show that the NBI will act on each and every complaint, regardless of the personality involved," Wycoco told The STAR.