MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested four of its employees, along with seven other individuals, who were part of a conspiracy to expedite “clearance” to applicants for a fee.
During the presentation of the suspects on Wednesday, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the agency’s Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) and NBI – Special Task Force (NBI-STF) arrested the four NBI employees in an entrapment operation at the NBI Clearance Center on January 6.
Likewise arrested were seven fixers outside the vicinity of the NBI Clearance Center.
Santiago said the operation stemmed from an information alleging that a certain NBI employee is in collusion with fixers in the issuance of NBI Clearance Certificates.
The NBI employee was allegedly facilitating NBI clearance applications in exchange for a fee ranging from PHP800 to PHP2,000.
The NBI-CCD conducted covert inquiries and verification, which confirmed the veracity of the information.
The suspects underwent inquest proceedings before the Prosecutor General, Department of Justice, Padre Faura, Taft Avenue, Manila.
They will be charged with direct bribery, and violations of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act); RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees); and RA 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018) in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
Santiago emphasized that there is no place for corrupt practices in the NBI under his leadership and warned that he will be relentless in pursuing those individuals who will violate the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act Law. (PNA)