In My Mind

I had an encounter with the NBI when I had my clearance renewed last July. The NBI clearance is one of my requirements for travel abroad. They gave me the clearance about a week after I applied for it. But when I received my copy I noticed I forgot to changed my previous address to my present one. So, a month after,there I go again to the NBI Regional Office in our area. They told me to return after a week since I got a lot of namesakes. The week had passed and to my dismay they informed me the system got off line and try to check from time to time. Imagine the time,effort and money wasted to get that clearance to no avail. Two weeks later i asked favor from my brother in law if he could get my clearance on my behalf. He was led to the office area and was informed that I ( of course it wasn't me!) has a pending warrant at the different branches in Quezon City Trial Court. My brother-in-law relayed to me that I have to go in their office in person because of the alleged woman bearing the same namesake is wanted and at large.

The following day, i went to the NBI regional Office in Iloilo. They led me to the investigator's office. Minutes later they led me to another room, where there's only me and the 3 NBI guy. At first, they were asking questions like, have you experienced working in Quezon City? Or if you ever experienced working in an educational institution? I answered No to both. Then they showed me the copy of the so called cases against my namesake. There are 20 something cases filed in different branches of Quezon City Trial Court. Qualified Theft is the case. When they handed me the paper I saw the name Rhea P. Samson. So Immediately I told them that Rhea P. Samson is not me. I showed them my I.d. but they won't look at it. My I.d. bears the name of Rhea D. Samson.Not quite the same,right?I'm even willing to provide other documents to prove my identity.They're saying I have to go to Manila and clear my name. I was adamant in saying I won't and is there any way they can suggest of how to clear my name without going to manila? They say, they don't.I'm already holding my emotions and temper. And this has been going on for more than 30 minutes already.I told them, YOU are the NBI you have all the power in the world to verify the middle name of that girl. They don't have access they say and that they ONLY RELY to what is being forwarded to them. I suggested further why, don't you contact the Quezon City Trial Court where that case was filed ask for assistance to contact the lawyer of the complainant and surely they know what that P stands for. They asked me one last question, if when will I need my clearance.I said ASAP. I added I wanted to talk to the Director and perhaps he can help me.They retorted that the Director will suggest the same thing also. I simply won't budged.I felt threatened and harassed at that time, and told them, I'll sue you for emotionally harassing me.They looked at each other and their expression and tone of voice changed as if we're suddenly friends. They said ..we're your allies here not your enemies, return tomorrow at 10 A.M.with an affidavit of denial and bring all documents pertaining to your identity.

After hearing them say those things I wanted to erupt. I asked for suggestions earlier and got nothing. And after saying a bluff of suing them, they provided me with an answer. What is their point? It made me think they're only aftering for the "lagay". (I just hoped I'm wrong!)

The following day, I secured the affidavit . I proceeded to the NBI and waited for more than two hours. Those guys never appeared.One of the investigator on duty at that time took pity on me and led me to see the head of the operatives. When he saw the affidavit and saw that indeed the Rhea P. Samson is different from Rhea D. Samson he gave me the clearance.

I regretted I didn't report them to their boss. I guess I was overwhelmed receiving my clearance.


NBI - National Bureau of Investigation. The name should speak for itself. Why can't they not know the the middle name of the alleged woman.Even a grade 3 pupil can distinguished the letter P from the letter D. I hope they'll serve the common people the best way they can and in the most speedy process . No wonder a lot of people is exasperated with the system.

You see, a relative of mine had the same experience under different circumstance.They in fact gave money to speed up the release of the clearance. They later found out that the clearance had been printed out two weeks before and it was only sitting in their office.

I'm just wondering, why some of the "guys" make it appear as if it's our "utang na loob" when they do something for us, when in fact IT IS THEIR DUTY to serve us. We pay them with our taxes. I don't generalize the people in the NBI. It's some of their men who do dirty tricks that tarnish the reputation of NBI and the government.

Let us be vigilant. Small action as this cause ripple effect, another form of GRAFT and CORRUPTION.

Posted by jaren at 12:32 AM  

Labels: government agency