DOJ mulls reward for Ecleo capture

CEBU, Philippines - Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said they are planning to put up a reward for the arrest of Dinagat Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr. if the PNP cannot capture him.

Ecleo, who was recently convicted of parricide for killing his wife Alona Bacolod Ecleo in 2002, is now in the DOJ’s list of most notorious fugitives in the Philippines.

In a past interview, De Lima questioned why the intelligence units of the PNP, National Bureau of Investigation and the Armed Forces of the Philippines cannot track down Ecleo and two other fugitives Army general Jovito Palparan, Jr. and former Palawan governor Joel Reyes.

De Lima said this led her to mull offering a reward for Ecleo’s arrest.

The lawyers of the Bacolod family welcomed the plan.

“We’ll welcome that. It’s just time there is a reward offered,” said Lawyer Kit Enriquez.

Lawyer Dakila Barcenas said that the initiation of the plan is up to the DOJ. He said that would be a step to the implementation of Ecleo’s two warrants for anti-graft and corruption and parricide.

Lawyer Fritz Quiñanola also welcomed this development in the case.

No amount for the reward has been specified.  (FREEMAN)