NBI official, BI staff face raps on pastillas scheme mess

Authorities have filed a series of charges against an employee of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and his brother at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for allegedly accepting bribe money from the pastillas scheme respondents.

NBI Legal Assistance Division Head Atty. Joshua Capiral and Immigration Officer Christopher John Capiral were arrested in an entrapment operation on Monday, and will face charges of extortion, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Executive Order No. 608, violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

They have undergone inquest proceedings at the Department of Justice (DOJ) after investigation uncovered that they have received bribe money amounting to Php 100,000 for the exclusion of some immigration officers in the filing of charges regarding the pastillas scam.“

The apprehension of a ranking official of the NBI is a stern warning to everyone that corrupt and other criminal activities will not be tolerated, especially in agencies which are supposed to be the pillars in the administration of criminal justice,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra cautioned. – Report from Kenneth Paciente