Manila: The head of one of the country's powerful law enforcement agencies has been ordered replaced by President Benigno Aquino amid allegations that his subordinates had been involvement in the kidnapping of a Japanese national.
Magtanggol Gatdula, Director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), has been ordered replaced by Aquino following reports that certain officials under his command were involved in extorting millions of pesos from a Japanese businesswoman who entered the country illegally last year.
The presidential palace said it had yet to come up with a replacement for Gatdula.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a regular palace press briefing said: "The President has ordered the release of the report summarising the factual findings and recommendations of the Department of Justice [on the extortion and kidnap case]; and, secondly, has authorised Secretary [Leila] De Lima to replace the NBI director."
Reports showed the DOJ panel headed by Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III has recommended the filing of criminal charges against Gatdula and other NBI officials in connection with the alleged kidnapping and extortion of Noriyo Ohara. The complaint stemmed from the claim of Ohara's foster family that some bureau officials had demanded ransom.
