MANILA — Newly-appointed Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed concern on Friday about the leakage of electronic warrants, which he said undermines law enforcement operations.
Remulla visited the Department of Justice (DOJ) to discuss the issue with his brother, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, following complications faced by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which falls under the DOJ, and the Philippine National Police (PNP), under the DILG.
“Nag-integrate na kasi ang information technology ng SOJ at saka ng DILG so we have to put safeguards doon sa electronic warrants para siguraduhin na hindi nagkakasunugan ng interoperability ng mga law enforcement divisions, NBI, PNP, nagkakaroon ng problema iyan eh so we are sorting out the issues,” DILG Sec. Remulla stated.
The younger Remulla suggested that an embargo system could be implemented to address the problem of e-warrant leaks.
“Nagkaka-leak iyan eh so the warrant will be issued to the requesting agency, tapos parang embargo 6 hours 8 hours. So para exclusive yon, unless coordinated ang efforts, may system na may 6-hour embargo,” he explained.
Remulla also acknowledged that apprehending high-profile figures, such as Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, has become difficult due to these leaks.
However, he declined to identify specific cases where such incidents had occurred.
“Marami na, I won’t name specific cases pero marami nang ganon na nagkakaroon bulilyaso dahil nagkakaroon ng leak ng warrant of arrest,” Remulla remarked.
The problem of warrant leaks has also been raised to the Supreme Court, especially during recent raids on facilities linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).
Remulla emphasized that preventing future leaks is now a top priority.
“We can trace them kung anong agency ang nagpu-pull out, we’re resolving the matters, it’s not about catching them now, it’s about preventing it in the future,” he said.