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MANILA (TO UPDATE) – The National Bureau of Investigation filed multiple charges Wednesday against one of its own officials and his brother for their alleged involvement in extorting money from immigration personnel labeled in the “pill scheme.”
Agents from the NBI Special Action Unit filed complaints with the Department of Justice for extortion and violations of the Corrupt Practices and Anti-Bribery Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials against attorney Joshua Capiral, head of NBI Legal Aid Section and his brother, Christopher John Capiral, who works for the Immigration Office.
The brothers, who were arrested in a capture operation at the NBI on Monday, are also charged with violating Executive Order 608, which established a national security clearance system for government personnel with access to classified matters.
The brothers allegedly extorted P100,000 from those implicated in the pill scheme in exchange for being excluded from the charges.
The pill scheme involved immigration officials facilitating the illegal entry of Chinese into the country in exchange for money wrapped in paper, similar to the delicacy.
NBI agents said they found it suspicious that Capiral, the NBI official who can recommend who should be charged, included only 4 out of 40 people for prosecution despite solid evidence.
The NBI ended up filing complaints against 19 people last month and is investigating a second set of complaints.
The brothers appeared before the Justice Department Wednesday morning for the investigation, but declined to comment. The complaint against them has been submitted to resolution.
LOOK: Atty brothers Joshua Capiral, head of NBI’s Legal Aid Section, and Christopher John Capiral of the Immigration office undergo investigative procedures at the Justice Department. They are accused of extorting P100k from those involved in the pill scheme. pic.twitter.com/ZJHLqtgGVM
– Mike Navallo (@mikenavallo) September 23, 2020
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Capiral’s lawyer will be charged administratively.
“This is a warning to all NBI personnel, regardless of rank, that corruption within the agency will not be tolerated,” he said.
“The apprehension of a senior NBI official is a stark warning to all that criminal and corrupt activities will not be tolerated, especially in the agencies that are supposed to be the mainstays of the administration of criminal justice,” he said in a statement. statement.
The chief justice said he would leave it to NBI to determine if a personnel reshuffle is needed.
Guevarra also said he would order a new investigation of the pill scheme.
In a Senate investigation Tuesday, columnist Ramón Tulfo accused former Attorney General Vitaliano Aguirre II of plotting the pill scheme and receiving money in his hometown of Mulanay, which he delivered via helicopter.
Aguirre, who was not listed as a defendant, denied the accusation.
NBI, National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, pill scheme, Joshua Capiral, Christopher John Capiral, Menardo Guevarra, Vitaliano Aguirre II, Ramon Tulfo, BI, Office of Immigration
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