NBI to continue pursuing fugitives — Santiago

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will continue pursuing fugitives from justice, newly-appointed NBI director Jaime Santiago said Tuesday.

Santiago issued the remark when asked if the NBI will continue the search for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Leader Apollo Quiboloy, who remains at large amid the arrest warrants issued against him.

“Yes, basta lahat ng fugitive, no, lahat ng hinahanap ng batas ay makukuha namin. Bakit hindi?” Santiago said in an interview at his turn over ceremony.

(Yes, all fugitives, everyone that is wanted by law will be arrested. Why not?)

Last week, authorities served warrants of arrest against Quiboloy at the KOJC compound, the sprawling 25-hectare Glory Mountain in Barangay Tamayong; and the adjacent 50-hectare Prayer Mountain.

Quiboloy is facing charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act as well as a on-bailable Qualified Human Trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended.

Meanwhile, Santiago said that he is ready to act on the case of former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. once given the signal. Teves’ extradition trial in Timor-Leste has recently concluded.

“Alam niyo, nag wo-work out na. Actually, DOJ ang nakikipag work out diyan. Once sabihin sa akin ng DOJ na Jimmy ready, punta agad, kuha agad,” he said.

(You know we are working it out. The DOJ is working it out. Once the DOJ tells me that everything is ready and to go, I will go.)

According to Santiago, he will implement a “reward system” for employees.

“‘Yung intelligence fund namin uubusin ko sa reward na reward na ‘yan. Para ganahan ang ating mga ahente. May reward system. Maganda ang trabaho mo, may reward ka sa akin,” he said.

(We will use the intelligence fund for rewards. So that employees will be encouraged. There will be a reward system. If you will do good, you will have a reward from me.)

Aside from this, Santiago said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gave him marching orders to take action against cybercrimes.

Santiago took his oath before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Friday. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News