Under the leadership of NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), the National Bureau of Investigation – Bayombong District Office (NBI-BAYDO) has filed criminal charges of murder against seven police officers from Nagtipunan, Quirino. The officers, identified as Police Major Fernando G. Manayod, Police Officers Jorey Cumahling, Jimboy Irang, Delmar Salvador, Allan Fiad-ong, and Jonathan Limmong, are accused in connection with the fatal shooting of Jim B. White on May 28, 2025, in San Pugo, Nagtipunan.
Investigations revealed that Mr. White, a member of the Bugkalot-Ilongot Indigenous Cultural Community, had previously reached a tribal-mediated amicable settlement regarding his pending criminal cases. This was supported by an Affidavit of Desistance, and he was scheduled to voluntarily surrender on May 29, 2025. The Provincial Director of Quirino was aware of this tribal arrangement.
However, a day before the scheduled surrender, police operatives allegedly staged an ambush-style operation along a remote uphill trail, resulting in White’s death.
NBI medico-legal findings indicated that all bullet entry wounds were located on White’s back, suggesting that he was shot while defenseless. This finding contradicts the officers’ claims that the victim fired first. The NBI also conducted an on-site investigation in the mountainous area where the crime occurred and concluded that the killing was executed with treachery.
As a result, charges were filed against the named subjects before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Quirino on August 5, 2025.
Director Santiago commended the NBI-BAYDO for its meticulous investigation and emphasized that no one is above the law, not even those sworn to enforce it.