BACOLOD City – An agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is under scrutiny following an alleged display of firearm at a local bar and restaurant on Lacson Street here between late evening of Nov. 24 and the early morning of Nov. 25.
In a radio interview, a 20-year-old waiter, whose identity has been withheld, claimed that the agent, identified as Janna Navales, and her friends were patrons at the establishment where he works. Following their drinking session, the waiter alleged that Navales confronted him, inquiring about a missing jacket and mobile phone, and during this confrontation, she pulled out her gun.
The waiter suggested that Navales might have been upset over the missing items, but he asserted that no such items were left behind in the bar.
The incident was captured on the establishment’s CCTV, showing Navales holding her firearm behind her back without pointing it at the waiter.
Upon learning of the incident, the NBI-Bacolod chief, Atty. Renoir Baldovino, instructed Navales to surrender her service firearm to their intelligence officer. Baldovino stated that an incident report would be forwarded to the NBI central office’s Internal Affairs Division (IAD) for investigation. Navales could face disciplinary action depending on the outcome of this inquiry.
Baldovino emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for such behavior from personnel, clarifying that while a suspension order against Navales has not been issued, they are awaiting recommendations from the IAD.
Navales has reportedly apologized to the waiter over the incident. The waiter and the management of the bar have filed a complaint against Navales at the Bacolod City Police Office-Police Station 2. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
