DOJ Secretary refuses to confirm NBI's recommendation
Iloilo -- Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr. yesterday (Tuesday) refused to confirm reports on the alleged result of the investigation made by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding the Tan massacre case.
Reports said the bureau came up with similar results as that of the 6th Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Earlier, the CIDG has recommended and filed murder and parricide charges against Archie and John Michael Tan, sons by the first wife of slain businessman Francisco "Bobby" Tan. The complaint is still pending with the Iloilo City Prosecution office.
Gonzalez confirmed that he has already received a copy of the bureau's recommendation regarding the Tan massacre case last March 18, 2006. The bureau conducted a separate investigation upon the request of family matriarch Conchita Tan.
He added, the NBI could not release the result of its recommendation not until the City Prosecutors Office resolves the complaint against Archie and Michael. This explains why the bureau also kept mum on the results of their investigation.
The secretary said he immediately forwarded the bureau's recommendation to City Prosecutor Efraim Baldago, but said he could not give details as to the bureau's recommendation.
"I don't want to preempt the result of the investigation before the fiscal's office," Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said any party discontented with whatever the prosecutor's office will come up can file an appeal before the justice department. Under the law, the justice department is given 60 days to resolve the petition filed by any party.
The secretary added the city prosecutor's office should resolve the complaint within 20 days under normal procedures. The respondents are also given ten days to submit their counter-affidavits.