The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday signed a deal that would ensure coordination in the investigation of incidents in connection with the war on drugs.
The memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar and NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor in the presence of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.
In a statement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said the MOA seeks “to institutionalize the complementary efforts” of the two law enforcement agencies in the drug war through the following commitments:
- the guarantee of the integrity and availability of all information, records, and evidence necessary for the conduct of investigation, case build-up, and when warranted, the filing of criminal complaints against erring law enforcement officers;
- the preparation of full and detailed reports of all relevant findings and recommendations for submission to each counterpart head of agency;
- the designation of points of contact and representatives for ease of coordination; and
- the regular monthly consultation through said designated representatives regarding the implementation of their MOA.
The agreement was made “in the spirit of upholding the rule of law and holding errant law enforcement officers and personnel accountable” for their actions during anti-narcotics operations, the DOJ said.
Further, the MOA will give legal framework for the NBI and the PNP for speedy resolution of pending and future cases.
The DOJ had published its review of 52 drug war cases shared by the PNP, which indicated that suspects killed in police operations were negative for gunpowder nitrates.
The report indicated this put into question the police operative’s claim of self-defense.
The International Criminal Court is looking into allegations of crimes against humanity in President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature policy. — VBL, GMA News
NBI, PNP sign cooperation agreement on drug war probe
Source: Pinoy Hub News
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