Yesterday we reported that the DPP has sent the case file concerning the alleged theft of $7.6 million from BTL back to the police for further investigation. Commissioner of Police Gerald Westby today told us as much. He says that the reason that there has been 15 months between the point when the investigation began and now and there has still been no arrest is because they are dealing with a complex issue.
Gerald Westby, Commissioner of Police
"We got back from the file from the DPP I think about a week or two ago and he has given us certain directives and Mr. Magdaleno has been tasked to carry out those directives and once he has completed the directives from the DPP's office, he will be returning the file to the DPP and we'll go from there. The investigation is complex and we had been working with the DPP's office very closely and sometimes things do not happen overnight, especially these complex investigations."
Alfonso NobleReporting,
What is the level of investigation you'll be going into now because a file has been sent back to you?
Gerald Westby,
"Well I wouldn't want to really go into the nitty gritty of the investigation because that would prejudice any future hearings."
Alfonso Noble,
Can we be rest assured that at the end of the day you all will be able to find somebody who is accountable for what happened at BTL?
Gerald Westby,
"Well certainly when the file goes back to the DPP he will make a determination one way or another and we'll go from there."
There is no timeframe as to when the police will be completing their investigations into the matter. What we can tell you is that back in September of 2005 the then CEO of BTL Gaspar Aguilar was fired by the Chairman of BTL Keith Arnold because of the missing money. Arnold in turn himself resigned from his position as director of the Financial Intelligence Unit in November of after mounting pressure by lobby groups on claims of conflict of interest.
