NBI implements major revamp

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently implemented a major revamp that included 15 top officials as part of the efforts to improve the agency’s investigation capability and to combat criminality in the country.

“This is to strengthen the capability of the bureau in fighting all forms of criminality not only in Metro Manila but in other parts of the country as well,” NBI Deputy Director for Regional Operations Services (DDROS) Reynaldo Esmeralda said.

He added that the officials were instructed to be “pro-active especially in cases prioritized by the bureau such as the extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances.”

Esmeralda clarified that the reshuffle was not a form of “punishment”.

In fact, the changes would pave the way for them to achieve “professional growth so they would be ready for a new task, for a higher position.”

Regional Director (RD) Elfren Meneses Jr. was transferred from the Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Division (AFCCD) to the Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD). While Assistant Regional Director Vicente de Guzman was tasked to fill the vacancy at the AFCCD. He previously headed the Special Action Unit (SAU).

RD Manuel Almendares takes over the Bicol Regional Office (BRO) after RD Jose Limmayog Jr. was re-assigned to the DDROS office. Head Agent (HA) Dante Pua, on the other hand, was placed as executive officer in the office of the Deputy Director for Intelligence Services (DDIS).

The NBI removed the agency’s anti-piracy chief HA Jose Justo Yap from the IPRD to become assistant regional director of their Northeastern Mindanao Regional Office (NEMRO) based in Cagayan de Oro.

HA Rosalina Chiong was promoted from executive officer of the Violence Against Women and Children Division (VAWCD) to head the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Division (NAIAD). She is the wife of NBI Deputy Director for Administrative Services Rickson Chiong.

The former chief of NAIAD HA Angelito Magno replaced De Guzman at SAU. HA Johnard Malvar takes over the position of HA Chiong.

Head Agent Allan Contado was designated at the Anti-Graft Division (AGD) that was previously supervised by HA Manuel Antonio Eduarte who was brought to the BRO as its executive officer.

Head Agent Sixto Comia would fill the void left by Contado at the Intelligence special Operations Division. Supervising Agent Noel Morales, on the other hand, is the new Security Management Division (SMD).

Head Agent Renato Mandawe and Max Salvador were both appointed to the Central Mindanao Regional Office (CEMRO) in Cotabato City.