The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is monitoring around 20 more steel companies across the country over possible violations of product standards and safety regulations.
This, as NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the NBI and other law enforcement agencies will expand their investigation beyond Davao City following the operation on Davao Mighty Steel.
“We have identified 20 steel plants na ganito,” Matibag said during a press conference.
He said the NBI’s operations against steel manufacturers suspected of violating standards will continue in other areas.
“Tuloy-tuloy po. Lahat ng na-identify namin at na-report sa amin na possible, may possibility na nagva-violate ng product standards natin at yung safety issues, yung may radioactive materials, lahat po yan,” Matibag said.
“There are about 20 more across the country na aming sinusurveillance at binabantayan po,” he added.
Also, Matibag urged the public to report suspected violations involving steel manufacturing facilities in their communities.
“If meron po kayong report whether you’re working or you’re residing near sa mga factories diyan, maari po kayong makipag-ugnayan sa amin para matulungan niyo kami,” he said.
Matibag said authorities are relying on evidence in pursuing the cases and stressed that the NBI’s mandate is to enforce the law regardless of political considerations or personalities involved.
“We ask the evidence be allowed to speak. Hindi po nagsisinungaling ang ebidensya,” he said.
He added that evidence presented by the NBI to the public would also be presented in court.
“The pieces of evidence that we showed to you, those are the same evidence that we will present in court,” Matibag said.
He also defended the bureau’s handling of the investigation, saying its personnel act based on evidence, established procedures and the law.
“From the time I assume office dito sa NBI, I’m very fortunate to work with professional people who based their actions on evidence, processes and the law, hindi dahil sa politika, hindi dahil sa personalidad,” Matibag said.
“Our duty is to the Republic, our duty is to the Filipino people, including the Filipino worker. Our duty is to serve the community and above all is to protect everyone, all of you, especially the Filipino people,” he added.
“I always say no one is above the law,” Matibag said.#