NBI not a weapon vs critics — Santiago

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) assured the public on Tuesday that it is not being weaponized against critics and dissenters of the Marcos administration.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago made the assurance amid the agency’s ongoing investigation into vloggers accused of spreading fake news.

A vlogger who posted online that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had legalized the use of illegal drugs was arrested in Cebu last week.

Santiago earlier disclosed that the NBI is investigating more than 20 vloggers and has sought assistance from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for its probe.

The NBI, Santiago stressed, is apolitical.

“This is an institution that every person can trust since we don’t take the side of anyone,” he said. “We just implement the law,” he added.

We just implement the law, he added.

A former police officer and trial court judge, Santiago emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and expression.

He said it is acceptable for people to express their personal opinions, and that government officials should not be overly sensitive or “onion-skinned.”

However, he also stressed that while expressing opinions is allowed, there are limits—especially when remarks go beyond constructive discourse.

Santiago said the NBI will investigate individuals who cross those boundaries.

In his first meeting with NBI officials following his appointment, Santiago said his main focus would be combating cybercrime.