Alleba Politics

Last week, news of a former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent being arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) hogged the headlines. Former Sr. Supt. Michael Ray Aquino, a former aide of Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson in the NBI, was arrested for conspiring to steal classified information from the FBI files. His co-conspirator is presumed to be Fil-Am FBI analyst Leandro Aragoncillo. The content of the stolen information? Classified information on the Philippine political situation and Philippine government officials.

Three politicians have been named as beneficiaries of the stolen information. First on the list is former President Joseph Estrada, his former superior in the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF). Second, and not surprisingly, is Lacson, his direct superior while he was working with the PAOCTF. And third on the list is oppositionist former Senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad. And the three along with some other personalities have admitted that they did “receive emails” from Aquino.

Were Aquino and Aragoncillo working under somebody’s orders? Were they paid to do what they did? What specific information was leaked? Why and what for?

Since the incident happened beyond our country’s boundaries, I am not sure whether legal action can be taken within the country. Are our legislators going to have an opportunity to grandstand, I mean, investigate this matter? What are the repercussions of the said espionage? Is it true that said information was used for black propaganda, mudslinging and destabilization? Did the administration know anything about this “espionage” activity?

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