Security tightened for Michael Ray Aquino at NBI headquarters

source: gmanews

Less than an hour after being escorted back to the Philippines from the United States, former police Senior Superintendent Michael Ray Aquino was whisked to the National Bureau of Investigation's main office in Manila Sunday morning.

The convoy bringing Aquino from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) arrived at the NBI headquarters at 7:32 a.m., radio dzBB’s Allan Gatus reported.

Asked by reporters how he felt upon his arrival, Aquino said “Mabuti (I feel fine)."

The former police officer fled to the US in 2001 to supposedly evade prosecution as one of the principal suspects in the killings of veteran publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000. [See story: Michael Ray Aquino back in PHL]

NBI spokesman Cecilio Zamora Jr. said “Ipa-process lang siya [Aquino], he’ll undergo medico-legal examination, then fingerprinting."

According to Zamora, there was no approval from NBI superiors on whether Aquino will be allowed to address the media.

He added the NBI will return to the Manila regional trial court on Monday the arrest warrant it issued against Aquino.

Security was tight at the NBI with NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula personally supervising preparations for Aquino’s detention facility there.

At least three layers of security were in place at the NBI headquarters.

Even outside the NBI headquarters, NBI agents were stationed to wait for the arrival of the convoy.

Aquino arrived on a Philippine Airlines flight from the United States shortly after 6:40 a.m., escorted by NBI officials Claro de Castro Jr. and Jesus Manapat.

NBI agents at the NAIA temporarily blocked media vehicles from following them to the NBI headquarters.

Traffic aides were placed along strategic areas at the route from the NAIA-Terminal 2 to NBI headquarters.

source: gmanews