The National Bureau of Investigation has declared it will launch a thorough investigation into the notary public who processed a joint affidavit submitted by 18 individuals claiming to be former soldiers to the Office of the Ombudsman. In a recent interview, NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag revealed that the bureau will scrutinize the notarization of their statements, aiming to examine the relationship between the notary and the ex-soldiers, as well as any potential backers behind their accusations.
Doubts Over Affidavit Validity
Director Matibag echoed the stance of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, emphasizing that the individuals should have provided separate affidavits rather than a single joint document. He expressed skepticism about why the knowledge of all 18 former soldiers was consolidated into one affidavit, noting that affidavits typically stem from personal knowledge of an individual. Matibag pointed out the difficulty in verifying if multiple parties share identical information in such a collective statement.
Call for Individual Testimonies
Consequently, the NBI plans to summon the ex-soldiers to obtain their separate testimonies regarding allegations implicating certain government officials. This move aims to ensure a more accurate and transparent investigation process, addressing concerns over the affidavit's authenticity and the motivations behind the accusations.
