NBI arrests 2 clearance fixers

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have apprehended two suspected fixers, including a former bureau employee, who allegedly offered to process an applicant’s clearance for a price.

Newly appointed NBI Deputy Director for Intelligence Service Edward Villarta said they apprehended Rene Rodriguez, 36, who was previously assigned to the master record division of the NBI Clearance Center and vendor Flora Aguilar, 33, of Paco, Manila.

The suspects face charges of usurpation of authority or official functions for introducing themselves as NBI officials. They are currently detained at an NBI detention cell.

Agents earlier received information that the two suspects were engaged in illegal activities and alerted the Field Operations Division (FOD), led by Head Agent Roland Argabioso, as well as the Intelligence Special Operations Division (ISOD) and the Research and Analysis Division (RAD) units of the bureau.

"Most of those who seek the assistance of fixers are those with derogatory records and would want them erased from their files," Villarta said.

The NBI set up an entrapment operation and sent one agent to act as an applicant.

The agent went to the NBI Clearance Center located in Sta. Cruz, Manila last Monday.

Aguilar approached the undercover agent and offered to expedite the processing and release of his clearance if he pays P300.

The actual fee for an NBI clearnce is P115.

Villarta advised applicants not to patronize fixers since the NBI has modernized its system and established online access to NBI records within the bureau to cut down the processing time to less than an hour.

This includes payment, record check and photographs.

The renewal of a clearance only takes five minutes, provided that the applicant has no criminal record.

Francisco Donozo Jr., NBI Identification Records Division (IRD) chief, said they have been working to get rid of fixers involved in NBI clearances for several years now.

"We have even posted warning signs against fixers and posted a photo gallery of arrested fixers for the protection of the public," he said. "They should not deal with fixers because they will only be duped." — Evelyn Macairan