National Bureau of Investigation

National Bureau of Investigation

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was founded on November 13, 1936 upon approval of Commonwealth Act No. 181 by the legislature. It was the Brainchild to President Manuel L. Quezon and Jose Yulo, then Secretary of justice.

Tasked to organize a Division of Investigation or DI patterned after the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation were Thomas Dugan, a veteran American police captain from the New York Police Department and Flaviano C. Guerrero, the only Filipino member of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Forty-five (45) men from among over 300 applicants formed the core of the DI. They were selected after meeting stiff physical, mental, and moral standards. Complementing this investigative force was i mix of civilian staff composed of doctors, chemists, fingerprint technicians, photographers, and administrative personnel.

 During the Japanese occupation the DI was affiliated with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Philippine Constabulary. Subsequently, during the post-liberation period, all available DI agents were recruited by the US, Army CIC as investigators.

Since then, the Bureau assumed an increasingly significant role. Thus, on June 19, 1947, by virtue of Republic Act No. 152 it was reorganized into the Bureau of Investigation. Later, it was amended by Executive Order No. 94 issued on October 4, 7947 renaming it to what it is presently known, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Former NBI directors

J. Pardo de Tavera (1946-1950); Alberto Ramos (1951-7954); Jose M. Crisot (1954); Leoncio Tan (1954); Jose G. Lukban (1954- 1966); Serafin Fausto (OlC-1966-7967); Jolly R. Bugarin (1967-1986); Antonio M. Carpio (1986 – 1989); AIfredo S. Lim. (1989 – 1992) ; Epimaco A. Velasco (1992-1995); Antonio D. Aragon (1995); Mariano M. Mison (1995-1996);Santiago Y. Toledo (1996-1999); Federico M. Opinion, Jr. (1999-2000);Carlos S. Caabay (2000-2001); Reynaldo G. Wycoco (2001-2005); Nestor M. Mantaring (2006- 2010).

The chiefs of the then Division of Investigation (DI) were: Thomas Dugan (1936-1939); J. Pardo de Tavera (1939-7942) and Jose Guido (19 42-19 45).

The NBI through the years

In the 1950s, as the country was barely rising from the ruins of World War II, the NBI assumed a valuable role in the common effort to restore peace and order. During this period, the notable accomplishments were: The Maliwalu massacre case in Pampanga; Manuel Monroy murder case (1952); Currency- through-mail smuggling case (Operation Quiapo); Chaffei gold bar smuggling case involving 100 gold bars worth P100,000.00 (1956); and Seizure of 384 gold bars on board SS Nicolas Maersk (1956).

The ensuing decade of the 60s posed greater challenges. Prominent cases handled those times were: Economic subversion cases / deportation of Harry Stonehill (1962); Menhart/Spielman murder case (1962);Ted Lewin case (1962); Subversion case/deportation of Cuban charge d'affaire Andres Trevino Soller (1962);1964 & 1965 Bar examination scandal; Big Four (The Untouchables) case; and the Cosette Tanjuakio kidnap case. As the tide of change in the 70s developed, the Bureau fulfilled its mission with renewed vigor and determination. Some of the significant cases in this decade were: PAL attempted hijacking case in Cebu (1971); Burning of Ora Este and Barrio Centro in Ilocos Sur (7971.); the Leonardo Manecio alias "Nardong Putik" case(1972); Multiple Murder and Multiple Frustrated Murder case (7972) in Bacnotan, La Union; Hanasan murder-for-insurance case (197 4); Ministry of Public Highways scandal case in Region 7 (-1978); Batanes election frauds and terrorism case; Multi-million peso PPSTA anomaly (1979).

With continued threats to peace and order and national stability in the 80s, the NBI proved its worth anew as it accomplished important cases. Among them were: ABBA Holdings Corporation multi-million peso loan anomalies (1980); Dismantling of the CPP propaganda arms for M-Manila and Rizal; joint operation of the NBI-NISA (1981); the raid of two marijuana plantations and uprooting of 2,150 full grown marijuana plants worth P8.6 million in Tinoc, Ifugao; and 2,150 marijuana plants worth P10 million in Kibunagan, Benguet (1982); P19.7 million Central Bank robbery case (1982); Reynaldo de Belen kidnap-with-ransom and murder case (1987).

1n1990, the NBI with its broadened functions performed creditably well and proved equal to expectations. It posted remarkable. Gains and by this effort gained more public trust and confidence. Some of the significant cases were: The busting of the biggest crime syndicate in Zamboanga City headed by Saldy Surabi, Jasani Addmin, and Enrique Alatan; the arrest of Alberto Saplan for the rape-slay (Nobleza case) of two pre-schooler sisters in San Carlos City; Slaying of Antique Gov" Evelio Javier; Apprehension of Rodolfo "Bong" Pineda for his alleged big-time gambling operations in Central Luzon;

Busting of a big-time syndicate with the arrest of Eduardo Gomez et.al and the seizure of $40 million worth of heroin; arrest of Michael Ong, 74 K drug syndicate member and seizure of P1..2 million worth of shabu; the apprehension of Roberto Manalili, Felimon Garcia, and Robin Manga in connection with the Bernabe-Castanos double murder case; the rescue of 158 young girls and boys in Pansol, Laguna recruited to work as cultural dancers in Japan; the rescue of 125 children from a Manila employment agency recruited from the provinces as local household help; the busting of the Bamboo' Gang drug syndicate wi& the_CelAiF9_of,its leader Wong Tak in a shootout; the murder of John Chapman and Maureen Hultman and serious wounding of Jussei Leino (Claudio Teehandkee case); and the ZUzuarregi P8 million kidnap-for-ransom case.

As the world crossed over to the Third Millennium, the NBI firmly establish its foothold as the country's premiere investigative agency. It resolutely _pursued its man date, posting significant achievements. Since the onset of the decade 2000, among the meaningful accomplishments of its investigative units were:

Two hundred fifty (250) kilos of shabu worth P500 million were seized from Sandra Lim in a Pasay City condominium on December 26, 2000; confiscated two replicating machines used in the manufacture of fake cassette discs and seized some 1,000 pieces of counterfeit PlayStation and CD-ROMs worth P200 million from a warehouse in Valenzuela City; seized six (6) truckloads of chemical/precursors which can produce P1 billion worth of shabu in a raid of a warehouse in Navotas, Metro Manila by a combined team of NBI agents, Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives.

Investigation of the Betty Sy kidnap-slay that led to the surrender of suspect, Ma. Editha Demol, Baby Tamayo, and Raul Victorino; raided three (3) shabu laboratories in Meycauayan, Bulacan and Mariveles and Pilar town in Bataan with potential output of P13 billion and seized all drug paraphernalia; arrest of Amin Imam Boratong and wife Sheryl Molera, wanted for converting a compound in Pasig City into a shabu tiangge (market); arrest of Ariel R. Afio, leader of the notorious Ariel Aflo "KFR" group in Quezqn City; hrrested Andres C. Lucero, Fromencio T. Enacmal, and Gualberto G. Castilleja, of the Waray-Waray KFR group for a series of kidnapping and robbery-hold-up. Rescue of 169 young ladies including several minors from prostitution dens in, Makati, Lapu-lapu, Mandaue and Cebu cities; filed criminal charges against Benjamin P. Garci4 alleged gunman in the brutal slaying of former Asst. Solicitor General Nestor Ballacillo, and son Benedict; a large quantity of assorted substances/ chemicals capable of producing P6 billion worth of shabu were seized during a raid of a Caloocan City apartment-storehouse in Caloocan City on February 2007; An internet-based interactional pyramiding syndicate FRANCSWISS Investment, was busted with the arrest of Eleazar Castillo, in Baguio City; seizure of 150 ,176 sacks of hoarded palay and rice from rice mills, buying stations and warehouses in Metro Manila and Luzon provinces; confiscated P200 million worth of replicating machines used in the reproduction of optical media and finished products in a raid of Konka warehouse in Mount view Business Park, GMA' Cavite. Busted the notorious Alvin Flores armed robbery group, responsible for a series of heists in Metro Manila, most notable of which was the robbery of the Rolex store in Creenbelt 5, Makati City following the arrest of suspect Rene S. Batiencela the group leader, Alvin Flores, and three (3) other gang members were killed during a shoot-out with NBI operative in Compostela, Cebu on October 29,2009 the arrest of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the alleged mastermind in the massacre of 57 persons, including several media men, in Maguindanao on November 23,2009.

Apprehended Nigerians, Benson Alo chukwa Onwuama, Rotini Mumunin Ol adapo, Robinson Adatire, and Olarewaju Mojeed, Ayegbusi, for purchasing P1 million worth of electronic plane tickets using fraudulent credit cards, in Cavite in July 2009; arrested fugitive Jason Aguilar Ivler at his residence in Blue Ridge, Quezon City; after a gun battle leading to the wounding; of suspect and two Bureau agents on Jan. 19, 2010. He was arrested based on a warrant of, arrest for shooting to death Renato Ebarle Jr. Over a minor traffic incident in Santolan. Road, Quezon City last Nov. 18, 2009.

Arrested Eliza Q. Dimalanta, and Guin- eans nationals Mazibane Phemelo Cassim, Marcel Bakayoko and Camara Ibrahim; Sekou, all members of West African drug, syndicate operating in Angeles City, Pampanga who were recruiting Filipinos as drug couriers or "mules" to smuggle dangerous and prohibited drugs in other counties.