Court wants Ecleo, his doctor presented in next hearing Judge also wants medical records

CEBU, Philippines - Regional Trial Court Judge Soliver Peras has ordered the defense panel to present cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr. and his doctor in the next hearing after the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association supreme master failed to attend the hearing of his parricide case yesterday.

It was already the third time that Ecleo, who is now a congressman in the lone district of Dinagat Island, failed to appear before the court. He was supposed to be cross-examined by the prosecution panel.

Peras ordered defense lawyer Orlando Salatandre to make sure that his client appears on December 15. The court also ordered the defense panel to bring in Ecleo’s doctor to brief the court on his health condition.

The court also wanted Salatandre to present his client’s medical record and not just a mere medical certificate when he appears on December 15. Ecleo is reportedly confined until now at the Makati Medical Center.

In lieu of Ecleo, Alona Bacolod’s cousin Alexander Bacolod was presented yesterday. Alexander testified that on January 9, 2002 Ecleo requested him to find Alona.

Alexander, who lives in San Jose, Dinagat Island in Surigao del Norte, said that he contracted three "habal-habal" drivers to look for Alona in the three barangays in the Island upon the instruction of "Master Ruben" who allegedly told him that his wife was missing.

Later on the same day, Alexander said that he came to learn that Alona's body was already found in Dalaguete, Cebu and he immediately reported to Ecleo as instructed.

"Magul-anon kaayo siya ug gikapoy ang iyang hitsura. Nakita sad nako nga nitulo ang luha sa iyang mga mata," Alexander described Ecleo during their conversation.

Alexander further testified that he was one of those who stopped Ecleo from going back to Cebu to claim the body because Ben Bacolod was very angry.

Ecleo testified in August 31, 2010 wherein he denied the charges of killing his wife. (FREEMAN)