NBI Cybercrime chief relieved
Over alleged ‘anomalous’ operation
DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday approved the recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation-Officer-in-Charge (NBI-OIC) Eric Distor to relieve a ranking bureau official over allegations linking him to an “anomalous” operation.
“Yes I approved the recommendation while the internal investigation is going on. I have informed [NBI] OIC Chief Distor about my approval of his recommendation for the relief of the NBI personnel concerned,” Guevarra said in a message.
Relieved was Assistant Regional Director Vic Lorenzo, the head of the NBI-Cybercrime Investigation and Assessment Center (CIAC) and Cybercrime Division (CCD).
Guevarra said Lorenzo was removed from his post in connection with the “service of a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer data in a certain establishment in Manila last May 31 where some alleged irregularities were observed.”
“No further details could be given at this time, as the matter is being investigated by the Internal Affairs Division of the NBI. We just want to make sure that similar operations in the future will be conducted in a most professional way,” Guevarra said.
This reporter sought Lorenzo’s side via Viber, but he has not responded yet as of this writing.
Distor also ordered an immediate review of all pending cybercrime complaints and other operational guidelines and procedures to achieve more organized standards concerning the operations being conducted by various NBI units nationwide.
Furthermore, Distor said that the NBI will thoroughly re-examine the agency’s guidelines on the service of search warrants, including intelligence and investigation operations.
“Henceforth, all operational authority must come from the Office of the Director and must be under the control and supervision of the said office, with assistance from the respective Deputy Directors,” Distor said.
“All Regional Directors, Agents-In-Charge, and Central Office Chiefs are likewise ordered to submit to the Office of the Director their performance/accomplishment reports for review,” he added.
Distor vowed to regularly purge NBI personnel to ensure that only highly skilled and competent will be retained, adding that he will not tolerate corruption and unprofessionalism. By Hector Lawas and Marlon Purificacion
