The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday created a task force that will investigate the alleged billions of pesos anomalies at the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth).

In a memorandum issued by NBI Officer in charge, Eric Distor, in line with the directive of Secretary of Justice Menardo Guevarra, to conduct an investigation on various allegations of corruption and anomalies in Philhealth.

The task force will be composed of agents and investigators from Anti-Graft Division (AGD), Anti-Fraud Division (AFD), Special Action Unit (SAU), Computer Crimes Division (CCD), Special Operations Group (SOG) and Digital Forensic Laboratory (DFL).

“Considering that the NBI is still conducting an investigation on alleged Philhealth anomalies, the creation of a task force on this matter will certainly help intensify and hasten the investigation,” Distor said.

It will be headed by NBI-NCR Regional Director Cesar Bacani and shall be under the supervision of NBI deputy for Regional Operations Service Antonio Pagatpat and Deputy for Regional Operations Service Vicente De Guzman III.

The task force will also audit the finances and conduct lifestyle checks on its officials and employees. The outcome of the investigation will be relayed to the Department of Justice.