Ex-police sniper turned judge Jaime Santiago is new NBI director

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday appointed former policeman turned trial court judge Jaime Santiago as the new director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Santiago,  who made headlines in the '90s as a sharpshooter with the Manila Police District, replaced  Medardo de Lemos.

Santiago's appointment was confirmed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

The new NBI director formerly served as a Manila Regional Trial Court judge. 

Santiago took his oath before Bersamin Friday, June 14.

Santiago became part and eventually named the Deputy Chief of the elite Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of the Manila Police Department (MPD).

His autobiography was made into a movie titled “SPO4 Santiago Sharpshooter,'' portrayed by Senator Ramon ''Bong'' Revilla Jr.

He received several recognitions as a police officer including Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year of the WPD, one of the Ten Outstanding Policemen of the Philippines (TOPP) by the Jaycees, and an Act of Heroism Award bestowed by the NCRPO, among others.

In 2005, he was named as the presiding judge of Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) Branch 12 while in 2011, he was promoted as the presiding judge of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 3, Manila.

People's trust

After taking his oath, Santiago headed to the Department of Justice for a courtesy call.

In an ambush interview, Santiago said he seeks to improve the services of the NBI and to return the trust of the people.

“Lalo na ‘yung speedy issuance ng clearances, no? Isa na ‘yan. Pupukpok kami sa cybercrime. Ang dami na nating mga scam-scam. So ‘yan ang pupukpukan ko, as much as possible,” he said.

(Especially, the speedy issuance of clearances. That’s one thing. We will also focus on cybercrime. There are so many scams. So we will focus on that, as much as possible.)

Meanwhile, he said he was “excited” about his new post and that there was no issue on his replacement of former NBI Director Medardo De Lemos.

“Magkaibigan kami… walang issue. [It was a] smooth transition. Actually, Monday, although holiday, mag me-meet kaming dalawa ni director, mag uusap kami,” Santiago said.

(We are friends… there’s no issue. It was a smooth transition. Actually, Monday, although it’s a holiday, the two of us will meet and talk.)

He said De Lemos’ term was only extended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  

“Retired na siya tapos inextend siya ng president. So tapos na ‘yung extension. Ito na ako,” he said.

(He was already retired and was extended by the president. So now his extension is over. And I was appointed.) — KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News