Ecleo Case: Prosecution lawyer doesn't want guards

One of the private prosecutors of the parricide case filed against cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr. yesterday said it is not a good reflection on them if they get policemen to escort them wherever they go because the people might think that they are cowards.

"Abi pa lang niadtong mga tawo nga nanghulga namo nga mga talawan mi," said Fritz Quiñanola who used to be a police general before joining the legal profession. He said lawmen should just focus on identifying those who threatened them.

Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter President Alex Tolentino asked the police authorities to provide security to the lawyers who are prosecuting Ecleo, the supreme master of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association cult.

The threats against the private prosecutors were sent to them via texts after Quiñanola moved that the court should review the granting of bail to Ecleo, accused as the mastermind in the killing of his wife Alona Bacolod.

While Quiñanola admitted that the threat was not a joke, he wants to show those who threatened him that he will not be cowed.

"Kon may usa namo nga ilang mapatay, naa pa gihapo'y ubang abogado nga mobanos pagdumala sa kaso," he said.

Another member of the prosecution panel, Alfredo Sipalay, refused to give his opinion about the matter until after it is taken up by the group.

Arbet Sta. Ana Yongco, who used to be the lead private prosecutor of the parricide case filed against Ecleo, was shot dead inside her law office along Sikatuna Street last October 11, 2004. The suspects are all supporters of Ecleo.

Michel Favila, M/Sgt. Heracleo Rallestan and Nestor Carroll are presently detained at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center after being suspected of killing Yongco.

One of Ecleo's lawyers, Orlando Salatandre, has denied any involvement in the sending of threats to Quiñanola and other private prosecutors.

Ecleo, who also used to be the mayor of his hometown in San Jose, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, was released from jail after the court allowed him to put up a P1-million bail for his temporary liberty.

His lawyer claimed that Ecleo is suffering from a severe illness and even claimed he was a "walking time bomb" who might "die anytime" and to detaining him would be detrimental to his health.

But Quiñanola said he observed that in the past hearing of the case before the Regional Trial Court, Ecleo's appearance already improved, particularly when he was seen on nationwide television with President Gloria Arroyo.

Ecleo's lawyers, however, quickly objected Quiñanola's intention to put back their client behind bars, saying "Ecleo's heart ailment is very delicate and to put him back in jail would only aggravate his physical condition." - Rene U. Borromeo