Probe ordered into killing of Justice Secretary's bodyguard

Manila: Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered an investigation into the killing of one of her bodyguards amid reports over supposed threats on the official's life.

De Lima ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), an agency directly under her office, to probe into the killing of Alister Quintos, a close in security of the Justice Secretary.

Reports said Quintos, 32, was last seen on Thursday evening escorting De Lima together with his co-members of the DOJ's Internal Service Operations Group. His body was found Friday morning in San Ildefonso town Bulacan province dozens of kilometres away from Antipolo City in eastern Metro Manila where he lived.

De Lima, who expressed shock over the sudden loss of one of her close in guards, remains clueless on the motive behind Quintos' slaying.

"We are shocked, we are all shocked," De Lima reacted in television footages. "He was with the others last night when they accompanied me home. He was OK yesterday," she said.

It remains unclear whether the incident had something to do with supposed threats on De Lima's life. Some five months ago, the Justice Secretary boosted her personal security contingent of armed security guards amid supposed threats on her life.

She did not say where the threats had come from.

Asked if the killing of Quintos can be considered an indication a serious threat she is facing, De Lima said: "You can never tell but, of course, it will be investigated."

De Lima had earlier said that there had been reports that suspicious individuals had been seen inside the justice department compound in Manila.

The Justice Secretary is among the most high-risk posts in the country as the office handles high- cases involving high profile criminals.

In January, De Lima sacked the head of the NBI after the latter was implicated in the kidnapping of a Japanese, woman Noriyo Ohara.

Ohara, who was said to be an illegal alien, was kidnapped by NBI agents and held for ransom.