NBI Embroiled in Bar Brawl Scandal: Internal Probe Launched After Agent Allegedly Assaulted by Colleagues

NBI Director Angelito DLP Magno

NBI Embroiled in Bar Brawl Scandal: Internal Probe Launched After Agent Allegedly Assaulted by Colleagues

By Wilma N. Yamzon & Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.Com | December 15, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – A scandal has fallen over the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following a violent altercation in a Quezon City bar, allegedly involving the brutal assault of an agent by a group of his colleagues.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, Dec. 6, has triggered a high-stakes internal investigation, threatening to expose deep-seated tensions within the agency and raising serious questions about its commitment to upholding the law.

Acting Director Angelito DLP Magno has condemned the alleged misconduct and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.

However, the gravity of the situation demands more than just words, as the incident threatens to erode public trust in an institution tasked with fighting crime and corruption.

Sources said the brawl involved NBI agents Erwyn Marasigan and Manny Bocaling, along with an unidentified woman referred to only as “Ara.”

Preliminary investigations showed an altercation between the two agents occurred, stemming from personal animosities and unresolved grievances dating back to their time at the NBI Academy.

Tensions finally turned into violence.

According to sources, the younger Bocaling, son of NBI Assistant Director Noel Bocaling, was already at the bar when Marasigan arrived with a group of companions.

Fearing a confrontation, Bocaling allegedly retreated upstairs and summoned reinforcements from his academy cohort.

What followed was a brutal assault, with the arriving group reportedly launching a coordinated attack on Marasigan.

During the ensuing melee, one of Marasigan’s associates allegedly struck another NBI agent in the head, rendering him unconscious.

The group then dispersed as officers from the Quezon City Police Department (QCPD) arrived on the scene.

At least one NBI agent sustained injuries.

Magno, in a statement released on Thursday, Dec. 11, acknowledged the severity of the situation.

“Misconduct has absolutely no place within this bureau,” he declared, emphasizing that the Internal Affairs Division had launched an immediate and thorough investigation to determine accountability for any violations of the law.

While promising due process, Magno made it clear that those found to have tarnished the NBI badge would face severe consequences.

“Once formal charges are filed, preventive suspension will immediately follow,” he stated, signaling a zero-tolerance policy for those who betray the public trust.

Beyond disciplinary measures, the NBI chief outlined a plan to reinforce internal programs focusing on professional conduct, discipline, leadership, and crisis behavior.

He took these initiatives as a proactive commitment to fostering growth and reinforcing the core values of the bureau, rather than taking punitive actions.

“To the general public we serve, your trust is the bedrock of our mandate,” Magno asserted.

“We owe you transparency, professionalism, and unwavering commitment. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the reforms we must continue to strengthen from within, so that we may serve you better.”

In a direct appeal to the rank and file, Magno urged the “good men and women” of the NBI to safeguard the institution’s integrity.

He explained that the actions of a few should not overshadow the dedication and service of the majority who operate with decency, discipline, and respect for the law.

The NBI’s response, Magno said, will be guided by a three-pronged approach:

 Accountability:

• Ensuring that wrongdoers face the full consequences of their actions, without fear or favor, regardless of rank or connections.

 Re-education and Reform:

• A renewed commitment to comprehensive training, values formation, and strengthening the NBI’s internal culture to prevent future incidents.

 Renewed Trust:

• Rebuilding public trust in the NBI, starting with fostering a culture of integrity and accountability within the bureau itself.

The investigation is ongoing, and the NBI has pledged to release further information as it becomes available.

The outcome of this internal probe will be closely watched, as it will serve as a crucial test of the bureau’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and upholding the very laws it is sworn to enforce.