‘Grave betrayal of public trust’: NBI probes dumped animal remains in Bulacan

MANILA — National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag on Monday said the agency has been ordered to investigate irregularities involving the pet remains discovered in Bulacan. 

He called the incident a “failure of service” and a “grave betrayal of public trust.”

The remains of least 25 pets were discovered inside sacks and plastic bags in a vacant lot in Barangay Minuyan Proper in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan last Friday.

“Hindi katanggap-tanggap na ang tiwalang binigay, kasama ang perang pinaghirapan, ng bawat pet owners ay sinuklian ng panloloko. Sa halip na maayos na cremation ay tinapon na parang basura,” Matibag said. 

(It is unacceptable that the trust and the money that pet owners worked hard for led to fraud. Instead of a proper cremation, the pets were discarded like trash.)

He said several divisions of the NBI, led by the Environmental Crimes Division (EnCD) and supported by regional offices in CALABARZON and Central Luzon, have been ordered to investigate. 

The NBI chief said the agency will document and consolidate complaints for possible estafa in cases where payment was collected for services allegedly not performed. 

It will also look into the operational capacity of the pet crematorium, including business permits, equipment, CCTV footage, and chain of custody of remains. 

NBI will also probe how concerned agencies — the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine National Police — and local government units coordinate for compliance inspection of similar facilities, as recommended by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society.

Matibag said NBI will determine whether the remains recovered correspond to pets entrusted to the facility and whether the ashes returned to owners can be authenticated.

Involved pet owners are encouraged to submit receipts, cremation certificates, and other related communications to the NBI headquarters.