BY EVANGELINE DE VERA

AGENTS of the National Bureau of Investigation Tuesday night "raided" the Philippine Forest Corp. office of ZTE witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. in Taguig and seized some documents in what was seen as harassment on the former PhilForest president and chief executive officer.

But the agency yesterday said there was no raid, adding its agents were involved in a "turnover" of documents from Lozada’s office in connection with ZTE probe-related activities being undertaken by the Department of Justice.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, in a memorandum to NBI Director Nestor Mantaring, inquired about the veracity of reports that the NBI conducted the raid and seized some documents.

Gonzalez last Tuesday formed a panel of prosecutors to determine the people liable for violations of the anti-graft and procurement laws in connection with the NBN-ZTE project.

In a memorandum, Mantaring said that NBI agents did not short cut the process of procuring the documents and that the turnover was well coordinated.

He said the NBI had secured a search warrant.

Mantaring said that on February 11, the NBI sent a letter to Erwin Krishna Santos, officer-in-charge of PhilForest, requesting for records in connection with the NBI’s probe of the NBN.

The following day, the NBI’s anti-graft division sent one if its men to pick up the documents.

"OIC Santos voluntarily turned over these papers and documents in compliance with our earlier request," said Mantaring.

Victor Bessat, deputy director of the NBI Special Investigation Services, said the NBI agent who went to the PhilForest office in Taguig was not armed.

Allan Contado, chief of the NBI anti-graft division, said among the documents turned over by Santos were Philforest articles of incorporation, its by-laws and list of grantees of leasehold rights.

Contado said NBI is verifying allegations made by witnesses for and against Lozada such as nepotism and acts of graft and corruption at PhilForest.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources should look into the reported irregularities in PhilForest during the term of Lozada.

Ermita, however, clarified this should not be seen as harassment against Lozada.

"It’s only proper na patingnan ito, not so much with an order from Malacañang but with the immediate superior of Mr. Lozada and in this case, it is the DENR," he said.

Ermita also denied Malacañang was behind paid newspaper advertisements against Lozada.

"Quite frankly I do not know anything about it. Definitely the Palace has nothing to do with it," he said.

PERJURY RAPS MULLED

PNP chief Avelino I. Razon Jr. said he has tapped the PNP Legal Affairs Service to study perjury charges against Lozada.

Razon said Lozada signed a request letter for his protection upon arrival from Hong Kong last week, but later denied that during the Senate hearing.

Razon said Lozada apparently duped them into believing he was under threat.

"Victim ang PNP dito. Napaniwala niya si (Environment) Secretary (Lito) Atienza, napaniwala niya kami na siya ay under threat. Kaya kahit na sabihin niya na siya ay maliit o mahina ay magaling palang magplano ito," Razon said.

Razon said the PNP-CIDG is investigating Lozada’s claim that Abalos threatened to kill him.

Razon denied rumors that he has taken a leave of absence as suggested by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. – With Jocelyn Montemayor and Raymond Africa