Digal assures safety for whistleblower vs. Joavan

CEBU, Philippines – Provincial Police Director Erson Digal believes the person who reportedly went to the police headquarters last Sunday was just mistaken to be one of the "goons" of Joavan Fernandez.

Guillerma Barrido, who claims to be one of Fernandez' body guards, said she saw a man who reportedly looked like one of Fernandez' goons went to CPPO last Sunday.

Barrido expressed fears the man was looking for her and wanted to hurt her because of her expose about Fernandez' alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade. Barrido has left Talisay City last October 1 and now lives at the CPPO safe house with her husband and two children.

But Digal the same seems impossible, as anyone who would attempt to do so is like attempting suicide.

"Naa'y gi-forward nako ang kauban ninyo sa media nga naa kuno'y mura'g pare-pareha ug nawng sa bata-bata ni Joavan nga misulod sa kampo. Akong giingnan inyong kauban nga mura'g maglisod na og sud namo diha kay naa ang atong personnel diha. In fact, ang atong provincial headquarters is naka-fence na man na siya diha," Digal said.

Digal said his men also did not see any suspicious person enter the vicinity last Sunday nor did they see any indication of threat.

"Mura kuno'g mahadlok kuno siya diha. Pero kung naa man gani mukuan ni Barrido diha, mahadlok baya pud sa amo diha kay naa ra gud mi diha sa kampo. Isog ra pud na siya. Mag-suicide na pud siya sa iyang kaugalingon kung moanha na siya diha," Digal said.

Digal assured Barrido that no one could hurt her and her family while they are under CPPO custody.

"Anyway, kami dinha sa provincial headquarters, andam man mi mutabang sa iyaha ug unsa'y iyang panginahanglanon. Ug unsa'y iyang mga concern dinha, ari siya sa akoa. Makig-coordinate siya namo. Anyway, nagpuyo man siya dinha," Digal added.

Before her expose, Barrido and her husband lived with Fernandez for more than 10 years as his security guards. (FREEMAN)