MANILA — Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Francisco "Toti" Baraan III on Thursday said no criminal complaint has been filed against ousted National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Magtanggol Gatdula.
In a press conference, Baraan said that a preliminary investigation against Gatdula cannot proceed because no one has filed a complaint against him (Gatdula).
"We cannot start a preliminary investigation (because) as of now, there is no complaint against him (Gatdula). The DOJ cannot be the complainant. (Noriyo) Ohara or the Marzans (Ohara's foster family) should file the complaint," Baraan said.
President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III dismissed Gatdula as NBI Director due to his alleged involvement in the abduction of a Japanese national in October last year.
Gatdula has been replaced following the recommendation of the DOJ panel of investigators chaired by Baraan that he (Gatdula) be subjected to a preliminary investigation for kidnapping and serious illegal detention under the Revised Penal Code (RPC) following the allegations of abduction and extortion of Noriyo Ohara or Marife Laganas.
The case arose when Ohara was taken by the NBI on Oct. 29, 2011.
The foster family of Ohara said that the NBI asked for P15 million in exchange for her release and for not initiating deportation proceedings against her.
Out of the P15 million, P6 million has been paid on staggered basis on Oct. 29, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9, 2011.
Ohara, an undocumented Japanese national, has been transferred to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), which is also an attached agency of the DOJ just like the NBI. (PNA)
DCT/PTR
