The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has decided to put on hold the creation of Chinese desks due to the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-2019).
“So there are considerations. That’s being put on hold,” said NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin.
Lavin previously announced the opening this February of Chinese desks at the NBI which will be manned by both the Bureau’s agents and their Chinese counterparts who will be handling cases involving Chinese nationals.
“In view of the spread of the coronavirus then it may not be safe for them to travel, our foreign counterparts, from China to the Philippines,” explained the NBI spokesman.
Aside from this, Lavin added the NBI has yet to arrange an office for the Chinese desk at the building in Quezon City where the Bureau will be temporarily relocating this year while a new building will be erected at its headquarters in Manila.
The creation of the Chinese desk at the NBI was reached during bilateral talks between the NBI and the Chinese government last December.
The Chinese government sought the creation of a Chinese desk in view of the increasing number of crimes involving Chinese nationals in the Philippines.
Once the Chinese desk becomes operational, Lavin previously explained the NBI will have easy access to information from China’s data base including criminal modus operandi and the groups and persons involved in these crimes.
“As it is now it is little harder for us to get those information,” the spokesman had lamented.
“This is the way forward for us to address all of these crimes relating to the increasing presence of Chinese individuals,” Lavin previously said regarding the creation of the Chinese desk. (Jeffrey Damicog)