Peter Joemel Advincula, the self-confessed “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narco-List” videos who retracted his story and accused Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other opposition people of plotting to oust President Rodrigo Duterte, may be admitted to the government’s Witness Protection Program,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday.
But Advincula must meet the requirements for admission to the WPP, Guevarra said.
Guevarra, who was designated caretaker of the government while President Duterte is on an official visit to Japan, made the statement even as the Justice department, through the National Bureau of Investigation, pursued its fact-finding probe on Advincula’s claims.
Guevarra said Advincula may apply for coverage under the WPP following the concerns on his safety.
“Nothing prevents Bikoy from applying for WPP coverage, but there are requirements that he has to meet for full coverage under the program,” Guevarra said.
“His eligibility will be subject to a careful evaluation by the DOJ.”
Guevarra said Advincula would first have to cooperate with the NBI and submit a sworn affidavit detailing the allegations he made when he surrendered to the Philippine National Police last week.
“We note that at this time he has not submitted any statements under oath, much less any evidence to support his allegations either before the PNP or the prosecutor’s office or any other investigative body,” Guevarra said.
However, upon application and submission of an affidavit, Advincula may be given protection under provisional coverage of the WPP.
Guevarra said Advincula’s status under the program would then depend on the DOJ’s evaluation on his credibility as a possible prosecution witness.
Advincula, who surfaced on May 6 to confess he was the hooded man who accused the members of the first family of involvement in the illegal drug trade in the viral “Ang Totoong Narco-List” videos, surrendered to the PNP last week.
He said his allegations in the videos were not true, and that he was only paid by Trillanes and the opposition as part of the so-called Oplan Sodoma to oust Duterte.
Advincula also alleged that he saw Vice President Leni Robredo “pass by” on one of their meetings, but said she did not join them.
Besides Robredo and Trillanes, Advincula also tagged Senators Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros and people from the Liberal Party in the alleged ouster plot.
The DOJ has repeatedly called on Advincula to cooperate with the NBI and present evidence”•first when he surfaced on May 6 and second when he surrendered last week.