NBI to join hunt vs 4 leftist ex-lawmakers

MANILA -- Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra assured that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will help in the enforcement of the arrest warrants issued by a lower court against former Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teodoro "Teddy" Casiño, Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis, and Liza Maza of Gabriela.

Guevarra said the NBI will participate in the serving of the arrest warrants signed by Nueva Ecija, Palayan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 40 Judge Evelyn Atienza-Turla on July 11.

“As a law enforcement agency, the NBI will help, in compliance with a warrant duly issued by the court,” Guevarra said in a text message sent to reporters over the weekend.

“All warrants of arrest are addressed to all law enforcement officers, including the NBI, commanding them to arrest the person or the accused wherever the latter may be found,” said Guevarra, adding that there is no need for the DOJ to issue a separate order to the NBI.

Turla reportedly issued the warrant of arrest based on the case filed in 2006 during the time of former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The case, which was filed in 2006 before the Palayan City RTC, stemmed from allegations that they were involved in the killings of farmers Danilo Felipe, Carlito Bayudang and Jimmy Peralta in 2001 and 2004, respectively.

Maza is the incumbent chairperson of the National Anti-Poverty Commission while Mariano served as former secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Mariano as his first DAR secretary after his election in 2016 but the Commission on Appointments rejected his appointment on Sept. 6, 2017.