The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) admitted on Saturday that the lockdown of the Manila Prosecutor’s Office became an obstacle in the ongoing investigation on killing of Manila Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Jovencio Senados.
NBI National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) Regional Director Cesar Bacani said his investigators have yet to talk to any official and staff of the Manila Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said the Manila Prosecutor’s Office has been on lockdown since July 15 because one of its staff has tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“Monday we will resume,” Malcontento said.
Despite this, Bacani assured the investigation into the killing of Senados continues.
Bacani said the cellphone of Senados will be subjected to forensic examination to determine if there were threats against him and if he had been in contact with possible suspects.
“Di pa nai-turn-over cellphone, nasa family pa,” Bacani said.
Bacani said the NBI is respecting the family which is currently in mourning over the passing of Senados and that the agency will wait for the family to voluntarily turn over the cellphone of the slain prosecutor.
Last July 7, Senados was ambushed and killed while aboard his car at 11:05 a.m. at the corner of Quirino Highway and Anakbayan St. in Paco, Manila.
Closed circuit television (CCTV) footage in the area showed that unidentified assailants used two vehicles in the crime including a black Mitsubishi Montero with plate number ABG 8133. (Jeffrey Damicog)