PNP confirms Valerio's plea for protection

Slain chief government corporate counsel Jun Valerio actually sought protection from the Philippine National Police two years ago but was denied, PNP deputy chief Director Reynaldo Wycoco revealed yesterday.

Wycoco, however, clarified that Valerio's request for a police security detail was for his office and not for himself.

He told a press conference that in October 1998, the 44-year-old government lawyer asked the Police Security and Protection Office for a security officer.

But this was turned down by the PNP Directorate for Intelligence (DI) on Jan. 5, 1999.

"The DI assessed at that time there was no need for a security detail. As far as the PNP records are concerned, the request was not followed up," he said.

The National Bureau of Investigation said earlier that Valerio also sought the help of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF).

According to NBI Director Federico Opinion, Valerio's letter-request dated Nov. 9, 1999 was also denied for failure to comply with requirements.

On the other hand, a source at the PAOCTF said Valerio's letter was actually addressed to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and was received by Secretary Ronaldo Ramirez.

The source added that the letter was received sometime in December last year but was not sent to PAOCTF.

"The letter did not reach us," he said. "The letter was received by PAOCC only last December. It appeared that he was hesitant in asking for police protection."

Valerio was gunned down in front of his house in Barangay Piñahan in Quezon City early Saturday. He was the highest government official to be assassinated under the Estrada administration. --