THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has denied allegations of the mother of two cockfighting aficionados or “sabungeros” who claimed that government agents tortured her sons while under their custody.

This, as the mother of missing enthusiasts Nicasio and Nicholes, alleged in a criminal and administrative complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman that agents of the NBI-Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID) “beaten up” her sons while under detention in June 2021.

“The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) takes exception to the reported torture, planting of evidence, and rape by the NBI-Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (NBI-TFAID) personnel and its Chief. We believe that this issue is related to the three cases filed by NBI-TFAID against the Manio brothers.”

“Rest assured that the NBI will continue to unwaveringly perform its mandate in providing quality services to the public,” the NBI said in a statement, adding the bureau will answer the charges in the proper forum.

The Manio matriarch filed a complaint against the NBI agents for alleged planting of evidence, torture, sexual assault, grave coercion, grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, oppression, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, among others.

Charged in a 12-page complaint were nine NBI agents.

She also sought the suspension of the agents while the case was pending.

According to her, the respondent agents allegedly tortured her sons, kicked, punched, and poked with a rifle barrel.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas