DOJ disputes NBI claim that Leviste is fugitive

Manila—The Department of Justice said Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste has not yet attained fugitive status, contradicting a public statement by NBI Director Melvin Matibag. Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Herbert Abugan clarified at a press conference that declaring an accused person a fugitive requires adherence to established legal procedures and cannot be done unilaterally.

Abugan stressed that the courts play a central role in determining fugitive status, suggesting that any such declaration must come through proper judicial channels rather than executive pronouncements. The distinction carries legal weight, as fugitive status triggers specific enforcement mechanisms and international cooperation protocols.

The clarification from DOJ officials comes as Leviste faces criminal charges in connection with an incident last year. The timing and nature of the NBI director's earlier statement was not immediately clear, but the DOJ's response signals potential coordination issues between the two agencies over how the case should be characterized publicly.