NBI steps into Diason slay probe

The National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) has stepped into the case of Rommel Diason, a candidate for governor in Kalinga who was assassinated on April 7. The killing of Diason was the latest election-related violence in the country. The NBI announced Wednesday that it made the move following the request of Diason’s wife Floydelia to conduct a parallel investigation. In an April 9 letter to NBI Director Nestor M. Mantaring, Mrs Diason said: “That though there is an ongoing-investigation by the local PNP (Philippine National Police), we believe that the expertise of the NBI will help in the solution of the case." Diason was shot six times on Black Saturday while making a campaign speech in Magnao, Tabuk (Kalinga’s capital). Mantaring directed the NBI-Special Task Force, headed by Supervision Agent Arnel Dalumpines, to conduct the investigation. “The five-man team is on its way to Kalinga," said Dalumpines. “We will be supporting the NBI-Cagayan Valley office, headed by Regional Director Constantino Jason, in the investigation into this matter." Last Monday, the PNP had a suspect in Diasen’s killing. He was identified as Joel Meldo of Barangay (village) Magnao. Police said several witnesses pointed to Meldo as the gunman. Meldo is allegedly a member of the Magnao-Lubuagan tribe and the motive behind the slay of Diasen was to avenge the latter’s alleged involvement in the killing of a local judge Milnar Lammawin, also a member of the Magnao tribe. While it would seem that the killing was motivated by tribal conflict, the NBI said it is not discounting the possibility that Diasen’s political position and ambitions might also be a factor in the slay. “We will be looking at all possible angles and motives into the case," Dalumpines said.- GMANews.TV