Last Bacolod terminates DOJ protection coverage

CEBU, Philippines - The last member of the Bacolod siblings under the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice has voluntarily given up his personal security and other benefits to take care of his ailing elder brother.

State prosecutor Llena Ipong-Avila, head of the DOJ-WPP in Cebu, said that Josebil Bacolod had his protection coverage terminated effective August 1.

Josebil instead requested for a relocation fund for him to be with his brother Ricky who is reportedly sick. Avila refused to divulge the amount that Josebil can get as relocation fund.

“Josebil withdraw his witness protection and asked for relocation assistance because he has to accompany his brother Ricky who was sick,” Ipong-Avila said.

Avila said Josebil has already left their safe house since Monday. According to her, any untoward incidents involving him are no longer the government’s responsibility.

Josebil along with his five other siblings and relatives were earlier placed under witness protection program as witnesses in the parricide case against Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association supreme master and Dinagat Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr.

Josebil’s brothers and relatives were discharged from the program ahead of him by Justice Secretary Leila Delima after they have finished their testimonies in court and allegedly no longer have threats since 2008.

The Crusade Against Violence, an anti-crime volunteer organization assisting victims of heinous crimes, has a pending request before the DOJ to reinstate the witness protection coverage to all the Bacolod siblings.

The Bacolods tagged Ecleo as the killer of his wife Alona in 2002. The case remains pending before the Regional Trial Court Branch 10.

Ecleo, who was earlier granted bail for humanitarian reason after he claimed to be suffering from serious heart illness, is now facing arrest after RTC Judge Soliver Peras cancelled his P1 million bail.

Ecleo is also facing another arrest warrant from the Sandiganbayan because of his conviction for graft and corruption. (FREEMAN)