MANILA, Philippines — A former Bureau of Customs (BOC) intelligence officer whom President Duterte wanted arrested will be placed under the government’s witness protection program (WPP) to help authorities prosecute key players in a multibillion-peso drug smuggling case. Senators also plan to recommend witness protection for a Customs deputy collector who blew the whistle on alleged drug smuggling through the BOC. Sen. Richard Gordon, Blue Ribbon committee chairman, said what is only being awaited is Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s signature for the release of Guban, whose continued stay in the chamber could be “dangerous” owing to threats to his life. Acierto and former PDEA deputy director Ismael Fajardo – who was also implicated in the drug smuggling – also failed to appear at the hearing yesterday. Acierto’s lawyer testified that he could not locate his client while PDEA officials said the same for Fajardo.

Source: Philippine Star October 30, 2018 16:35 UTC