National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Nestor M. Mantaring said Sunday it is unlikely that Maguindanao local government officials, including clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr., the governor of Maguindanao, and his son Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, will be detained at the bureau.

Mantaring said it will be better for the two governors and Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., who is detained at the bureau jail, will not be placed in one detention facility.

“Hindi ideal na pagsama-samahin sila sa iisang detention facility, makakapag-usap lang sila,” said the NBI director.

Mantaring reiterated that he has yet to receive order from the Department of Justice (DoJ) to place the local government officials, including Governor Ampatuan Sr. and Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, under the custody of the NBI.

“Just in case they will be brought here. I will be informed ahead, but so far wala pang order,” he said.

The NBI director said Mayor Ampatuan Jr. will remain at the NBI jail. “There is only one jail here in NBI. It has three detention cells – two for males and one for females. It will be better if they (Ampatuan Sr., Zaldy and others) will not be detained here. Pero if gusto ng government natin, susunod kami,” he said.

The NBI director also said there is no move yet to interrogate Ampatuan Sr. and Zaldy in connection with the Nov. 23 massacre in Maguindanao.

“They were placed under the government custody in connection with the reported rebellion following the declaration of martial law there. The Philippine National Police (PNP) is conducting investigation for that matter. It has nothing to do with the November 23 massacre in Maguindanao,” said the NBI director.

He said they hoped that there will be a new development in the massacre probe in the next few days.