WPP man in rape rap fired

The Witness Protection Program (WPP) guard who allegedly raped a 29-year-old witness under his protective custody was dismissed from the service by Justice Secretary Hernando Perez yesterday.

"He has no business having an affair with a witness. It’s just like a guardian having an affair with his ward," Perez told reporters, referring to Gerry Lintan aka Rustom Yap, whom he had earlier suspended indefinitely following the alleged indiscretion.

He said he "approved the recommendation" of dismissal of the WPP executive committee, which was "without prejudice" to the investigation of rape charges against Lintan. Lintan’s dismissal is an administrative penalty.

"Whether it was rape or not, the guard has no business having an affair with the person being guarded. Therefore, I approved the recommendation for the dismissal of Lintan without prejudice to the investigation of the rape charges," said Perez.

In a statement he gave to the National Bureau of Investigation, Lintan denied raping the witness but volunteered the information to investigators that they were having an "affair," which is extra-marital in nature, since both of them are married.

Lintan is facing rape charges in the Quezon City prosecutor’s office based on the complaint filed by the victim that she was raped on March 26 in the apartment in Quezon City where she and her family, along with another one, were housed.

Senior State Prosecutor Leo Dacera III, WPP director, has belied allegations that he covered up for the WPP guard involved.

He refused to discuss the "merits of the case," saying he would rather leave the investigation to the persons tasked to handle the probe.

Nevertheless, Dacera lamented that sometimes it is very frustrating on his part whenever cases like this crop up. He pointed out that the WPP is designed for bona fide witnesses whose lives are at risk.

Should the threats subside, as in the case of the alleged rape victim, who was no longer covered by the WPP since April 1, and the case in which she is testifying is terminated, then the government will not continue the benefits it used to give.

Dacera said the case in which the victim was testifying had already been dismissed, which prompted them to terminate her protection, but she pleaded to be covered by the program again, which made them decide to accept her for humanitarian reasons.