Monday, July 21, 2008 NBI chief downplays 'disarming' of agents By Rhodamae M. Hernandez
NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Southern Mindanao Regional Director Romulo Manapsal downplayed reports that two of his investigators were disarmed at the Talomo Police station.
Manapsal said it was just a case of miscommunication, adding that Police Superintendent Michael Dubria, chief of the Talomo police station, even went to his office to explain that what happened around 9 p.m. of July 11 was just the station's standard operating procedure.
"There was just a miscommunication, there was no disarming. I appreciate Colonel Dubria's initiative of coming here, it shows an act of an officer and a gentleman," Manapsal said in an interview.
"It's protocol talaga na when you go to the office of the commander, deposited talaga ang mga firearms. Hindi lang naman dito 'yan, even in other establishments, they practice that," Dubria said.
Dubria said most stations in Davao City are practicing the same protocol.
"Most stations practice that SOP (standard operating procedure) and I am practicing that ever since I was assigned here. That's for the security of my men and my station," Dubria told Sun.Star.
He further said that when the two NBI operatives, identified as special investigators Jonathan Balite and Gerald Intes, showed their identification cards, their firearms were returned.
