Head of NBI Cybercrime center faces relief over anomalous operation

June 3 ------ NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Officer-in-Charge Director Eric B. Distor recommended the relief of the head of the NBI-Cybercrime Investigation and Assessment Center (CIAC) and other officers of Cybercrime Division (CCD) over an alleged anomalous operation.

Director Distor did not disclose what particular operation he was referring to but said he was recommending the relief of Assistant Regional Director Vic Lorenzo and other CCD officials pending results of investigation by the NBI Internal Affairs Division (IAD). Meanwhile, Distor also ordered the review of the existing cybercrime and other operational guidelines and procedures to have more organized standards and measures concerning the operations being conducted by various operational units of the NBI nationwide.

He said the NBI will thoroughly re-examine the agency's guidelines on operations, including service of Search Warrant operations, Intelligence operations, and investigation operations. Henceforth, Distor disclosed that all operational authority must come from his office. He added that the NBI-CIAC must also be under the control and supervision of his office, with assistance from the respective deputy directors. He added that all regional directors, agents-in-charge and central office chiefs are likewise ordered to submit to his office their performance and accomplishment reports for review.

Distor emphasized that a re-assessment and revisiting of the NBI's operational guidelines also aim to scale down abuse of authority to leave no room for trust and integrity issues and increase professionalism among operatives as well as to further reinforce the bureau's ongoing success in combating crimes and illicit activities with maximum efficiency and effectiveness. He further said that a review of operational standards and procedures periodically undertaken is always necessary as part of management's response to the increasing role of the NBI to the challenges in a modern and highly technologically advanced society. The NBI chief pointed out that a continuous cleansing of the bureau's personnel will be undertaken so that only the highly skilled, competent and deserving will be retained, adding that he will not tolerate unprofessionalism in the NBI.

Source: manilatimes.net