‘DOJ willing to help CHR’
THE Witness Protection Program (WPP) of the Department of Justice is willing to assist the Commission on Human Rights 7 in protecting its witnesses especially with suspected extrajudicial killings.
A WPP official, who refused to divulge his name due to security reasons, said that CHR 7 can endorse their potential witnesses to their custody to ensure that they are given maximum protection.
The official made the reaction following reports that CHR 7 has a hard time investigating suspected EJK cases in Central Visayas due to the lack of witnesses to support their case.
The official told Sun.Star Cebu that CHR 7 can endorse their witnesses to their office together with the necessary documentary requirements such as the sworn affidavits, administrative documents, certificate of materiality and an endorsement letter from the requesting agency.
The official added that they are open
to the idea of coordinating with CHR to ensure that their witnesses will be able to testify without fear of being harassed or intimidated by those involved in suspected EJK cases.
Coordination
In a separate interview, CHR 7 Chief Investigator Leo Villarino said that while their agency has their own witness protection program, they are also open to the idea of coordinating with other offices.
But Villarino said they are also concerned on whether the testimonies of their witnesses are truly credible or not before they could decide if that person needs WPP intervention.
“Their testimony should actually help the case or if he or she is receiving threats in relation to the case before we could judge that he or she will be under govern- ment protection,” Villarino added.
Affidavits
Currently, the CHR 7 awaits the affidavits of four people who claimed to have witnessed how police officers killed suspected drug pusher Gener Rondina in Barangay Carreta.
Villarino said they are contemplating on subjecting the witnesses under government custody, but only if the CHR 7 is able to determine if their testimonies will be vital to the case.