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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Convicted cult leader Ecleo Jr.out of NBP, confined in hospital

Convicted cult leader Ecleo Jr.out of NBP, confined in hospital

Published May 4, 2021 07:36 pm

Ruben B. Ecleo Jr.

Convicted cult leader and former San Jose, Dinagat Islands Rep. Ruben B. Ecleo Jr. was taken out of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City and confined in a hospital in Taguig City for treatment, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra confirmed on Tuesday, May 4.

“I have been informed today that he was indeed brought out of the NBP sometime last month due to some COVID-related and pre-existing illnesses,” Guevarra said citing a report from the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

He said Ecleo was taken to a hospital in Taguig City instead of the Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) where inmates of the NBP are usually confined for treatment.

He explained that “OsMun and other public hospitals were full; hence, the need to bring him to a private hospital instead.”

“The normal procedure is to secure the authorization of the SOJ (secretary of justice) prior to a PDL’s (person deprived of liberty) transfer to a hospital outside the NBP, unless in cases of extreme emergency or life-threatening situations, in which case the BuCor shall submit to the DOJ a post-treatment report instead,” he said.

“The hospital where the PDL may be transferred should be a nearby government hospital like the OsMun, unless such government hospital is full or without the necessary facility, in which case the PDL may be brought to a private hospital at his own expense and subject to strict security measures,” he added.

Ecleo was the “supreme leader” of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA) which was founded by his father in 1965. He took over in 1987 after the death of his father.

He was arrested by operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) last July 30 in San Fernando City, Pampanga after having been on the run due to his convictions for various crimes.

The NCRPO had an arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan which convicted him of graft charges in 2006 and sentenced him to 31 years in prison.

The graft case involved the illegal disbursement of funds for three construction projects when he was still the mayor of San Jose from 1991 to 1994.

He was also convicted in 2012 of parricide for killing his wife Alona. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay more than ₱25 million in damages.

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