National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag on Tuesday stood pat on the bureau’s intelligence report on the alleged presence of drug dens or “shabu tiangge” in Taguig City, saying the NBI has separate intelligence information that contradicts the local police’s assessment.
Taguig City Police Chief Julius Añonuevo earlier said there were no drug dens operating in the city.
But Matibag said the police and the NBI may have arrived at different conclusions based on their respective intelligence reports.
“Well, ang basis nila siguro ay yung kanilang intel report but we have also our own intel report (to say otherwise),” Matibag said during a press conference.
He cited the NBI’s monitoring of a group arrested during a buy-bust operation in Taguig, saying investigators traced the suspects to a particular area in the city.
“May nahuli nga tayo eh…at nung sinusundan natin itong grupo na ito, yung pinanggalingan doon din eh,” Matibag said.
He said the NBI had identified an area allegedly linked to illegal drug activities but declined to disclose its location.
“There is a certain area there and I think it’s an open secret but I will not mention that area na nando doon,” he said.
Matibag said the NBI’s anti-drug operations in Taguig would continue and would form part of a broader campaign against illegal drugs nationwide.
“But that won’t be the first and the last but just… of a crackdown sa illegal drugs, not only in Taguig City but in all other areas,” he said.
He maintained that the NBI’s actions are guided by intelligence that must be supported by evidence, as well as by law and established procedures.
“Let me remind everyone, ang NBI po, we were always guided, again I will say it again, by evidence, by law and by process and the mantra that is no one is above the law,” Matibag said.#