By Filane Mikee Cervantes
MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to file criminal charges next month against those involved in the July 2020 assassination of retired police general and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
During the 14th meeting of the House quad committee (quadcom) on Tuesday, NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin told a congressional hearing that the investigation into Barayuga’s murder is nearing completion.
“For the NBI, we are already wrapping up or we are concluding the investigation on the Barayuga murder, and in about three weeks’ time we shall be filing our cases against those involved,” Lavin was quoted as saying in a news release Wednesday.
He said the NBI is awaiting the results of a forensic examination on Barayuga’s gadgets provided by his wife.
“These gadgets were turned over to our agent in Iloilo, Atty. Arnold Diaz, who applied for warrants to examine their contents. These gadgets were brought to our main office for examination, and we should be ready with our reports in about two to three weeks’ time, your honor,” Lavin said.
Asked to confirm whether charges will be filed within that timeframe, he said yes.
Progress in the case was reported in September when Police Lt. Col. Santi Mendoza testified before the quadcom about the ambush that killed Barayuga on July 30, 2020 near the PCSO office in Mandaluyong City.
Mendoza has implicated former PCSO general manager Royina Garma and retired police colonel Edilberto Leonardo as masterminds in the fatal ambush. (PNA)
