Esmeralda: I didn't tag Gatdula

MANILA, Philippines - National Bureau of Investigation deputy director Reynaldo Esmeralda clarified yesterday he never identified his former boss, dismissed NBI director Magtanggol Gatdula, as the one behind his ambush last week in Paco, Manila.

Esmeralda told The STAR yesterday he had never pointed an accusing finger against his former boss, who was sacked by President Aquino after being implicated in the alleged kidnapping of Japanese woman Noriyo Ohara and extorting P6 million from the Filipino family who took in the undocumented foreigner.

Esmeralda noted that there are several other suspects involved in the Ohara case. “It is not only Director Gatdula,” he added.

Among the others accused by Ohara are dismissed NBI Security Management Division chief Mario Garcia; his executive officer, Jose Odelon Cabillan; their assets Chona Elen Esplana and Virgelito Gutierrez; and Gatdula’s special assistant, Raul Dimaano.

“What I said was that the Ohara case could have something to do with the ambush, but I didn’t say that Gatdula was behind it,” said Esmeralda. “I have never mentioned the name of Gatdula as a suspect in the ambush.”

He stands pat on his earlier pronouncement that the case of Ohara could likely have links to the ambush where he and his brother, SPO1 Nilo Esmeralda were wounded.

He insisted that there is no existing animosity between him and Gatdula even after he left the bureau.

Before Malacañang announced Gatdula’s dismissal from the NBI, Gatdula took a leave of absence during the second half of December 2011.

Esmeralda said he has been supportive of Gatdula and wanted him to stay until 2016.