The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday filed before the Department of Justice (DoJ) frustrated murder and illegal possession of firearms charges against former NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula and 12 others.
The NBI, which is the Philippines’ premier investigating body, is an attached agency of the DoJ.
Aside from Gatdula, the other respondents are businessman Tyrone Ong, Perfecto Villanueva, former policeman and close-in bodyguard of Ong; Ronnie Ong, Ramoso Ramos, Alfredo Compoc, Teodoro Abendano, Ricky Dacillo, Gerry Farillon, Jose Maglalang Jr., Gino Eustaquio, Aljun  Monticlaros and Alvin Monticlaros.
They were all charged with frustrated murder with treachery, evident premeditation and use of illegal firearms in connection with the ambush staged last February against NBI Deputy Director Reynaldo Esmeralda in Paco, Manila.
According to the NBI, the recovery of the firearms used in the ambush led to the identities of the accused.
The NBI investigation yielded sworn statements of seven individuals detailing the participation of the 13 respondents in the ambush of Esmeralda, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said at a press conference at the NBI yesterday.
De Lima said the NBI recommended the filing of frustrated murder charges against former NBI Director Gatdula, business tycoon Tyrone Ong and 11 others.
During the ambush incident, Esmeralda sustained wounds while his car was peppered with bullets while travelling along Pedro Gil Street in Paco.
Before the ambush incident, Gatdula was dismissed as NBI chief because of his alleged involvement in the “kidnapping for ransom” of Japanese Noriyo Ohara.        PNA