9 NBI agents cleared of torture raps

Nine agents of the National Bureau of Investigation have been cleared by the Office of the Ombudsman of allegations they tortured two brothers reportedly involved in the disappearance of two online cockfight workers, the NBI said on Monday.

- MARK ERNEST VILLEZA

In a statement, the NBI said the ombudsman dismissed the charges against NBI agents Ross Jonathan Galicia, Eduardo Ramos Jr., Levi Mora Orille, Aubrey Cosidon, Eigelbert Pulan, Abner Dotimas, Nestor Gutierrez, Allan Ernesto Elefante and Gary Menez in a joint resolution dated Feb. 12.

The nine agents were members of the NBI-Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID), now called the NBI Dangerous Drugs Division.

"The ombudsman found no merit in the charges filed against the agents of NBI-TFAID led by... Galicia, who acted within the scope of the law in the performance of their official duty as NBI agents," the NBI said.