DOJ recommends raps vs NBI men in extortion mess

MANILA, Philippines - A Department of Justice (DOJ) panel is recommending that several National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officials and agents be charged in connection with the alleged extortion of P6 million from a Japanese woman’s foster family late last year.

The panel’s chair, Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, said their report has been submitted to President Aquino for review but revealed they made “very serious recommendations” that will have “serious implications to the leadership of the NBI.”

He said their recommendations “were based on direct and circumstantial evidence” but refused to elaborate in deference to the President, who has yet to make a decision.

Baraan confirmed they based their report on testimonies and evidence gathered during the fact-finding investigation into the supposed extortion of Noriyo Ohara by NBI-Security Management Division head Mario Garcia, executive officer Jose Odellon Cabillan, and two agents. The DOJ has suspended them while the investigation is ongoing.

Baraan said the case would most likely undergo preliminary investigation in the DOJ, where Ohara would serve as primary witness.

NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula also testified in the probe and eventually took a 30-day leave of absence.

Ohara’s foster family accused the respondents of arresting her for being an undocumented alien last Oct. 28, then demanding P100 million for her release. They said they delivered a total of P6 million to the respondents from October to November last year.