Padilla asks NBI exec if he knows Islam amid BARMM assignment

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judge Robinhood Padilla has asked the prosecution’s witness for the impeachment trial — the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regional director assigned to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) — if he is knowledgeable in Islam.

During the fifth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, Padilla raised this question to NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc, as he believes that anyone assigned to BARMM should have basic knowledge of Islam.

READ: Zuleika Lopez among prosecution’s next witnesses in impeachment trial

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Padilla was asking why Lotoc was appointed by the NBI Director to BARMM, despite not being from the area.

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“Why did the [NBI] director think that you should be assigned to the BARMM? Do you have any knowledge regarding Islam?  BARMM refers to Muslim Mindanao.  Do you have any knowledge about Islam?” Padilla asked, speaking Filipino.

“The religion of Islam is important because this is Muslim Mindanao, so this means there should be a basic knowledge of Islam,” he added.

“Yes sir, anyone can be assigned to any regional office here in the Philippines,” Lotoc replied in Filipino.

When Lotoc said this, Padilla asked why this is the case when the BARMM is supposed to be autonomous.  And since Islam is a major religion in the area, Padilla said that anyone assigned there should have basic knowledge of the matter.

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“Ah, but isn’t that an autonomy, autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao, so maybe we need to have some sort of knowledge regarding Islam?” Padilla added.

“Kaunti siguro sir (A little bit of knowledge sir),” Lotoc replied.

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“Ano po ‘yong kaunti na ‘yon (What is that small knowledge)?” Padilla asked again.“Well isa po akong Kristyano at hindi ko ho malalaman ‘yong kabuuan (Well I am a Christian and I cannot know everything),” Lotoc noted.

Padilla’s inquiry stemmed from his questions as to whether Lotoc is the “golden boy” of the NBI, supposedly because he got several promotions in a short span of time.

Lotoc said that he has been with NBI for 12 years, rising from Investigation Agent I to his current post Director II.  Between Investigation Agent I and Director II, there are a total of eight posts in between.

“Was that a promotion for you to be brought to BARMM, is it true that you are being called the ‘golden boy’ in the NBI?  Was that a promotion, that you be brought to the BARMM?  Because I’ve heard that you were promoted several times in your 12 years at the NBI, right?” Padilla asked.

“I cannot comment on that your Honor […] I am with the BARMM, I am not in the main office sir.  Since I entered the NBI, from Investigation (Agent) I, II, III in 2015, 2016, well since the time from the academy, from Investigation (Agent) I up to Regional Director,” Lotoc replied.

Lotoc was one of the NBI officials who investigated the threats made by Duterte during the November 23, 2024 online press briefing.

The threats, which are part of the Article IV of the Articles for Impeachment against Duterte, came after she lashed out at the Marcos couple and then Speaker Martin Romualdez after her chief-of-staff, Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, was detained within the House premises.

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Lopez’s detention meanwhile was prompted by the House committee on good government and public accountability’s decision to cite her in contempt, after she supposedly committed undue interference during the panel’s investigation of alleged confidential fund misuse within Duterte’s offices. /jpv