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DOJ tells persons under witness protection: 'Behave'

Philippines | National

DOJ tells persons under witness protection: 'Behave'

By Jeffrey Damicog

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Sunday, Sept. 28, warned it will not condone misbehavior among persons linked to the “anomalous” flood control projects and who have been provisionally placed under its Witness Protection Program (WPP).

“We urge all persons of interest in this case to behave accordingly,” declared DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV in a statement.

The statement was issued when Sarah Discaya, after her visit at the DOJ last Saturday, Sept. 27, was caught by the media flashing a “heart” sign and she asked: “Gandahan niyo ‘yung memes ko (Have my memes look good).”

“The heart sign and the remarks of Ms. Sarah Discaya are all taken into account in the assessment and evaluation of the person involved,” Clavano said.

“It is a sign of insincerity and complacency,” he also said.

Sarah and her husband Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya have been provisionally placed under the DOJ’s WPP along with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District’s former district engineer Henry Alcantara; and former assistant district engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had explained earlier that being provisionally placed under the WPP does not mean they are considered state witnesses and free from criminal liability.

“Basta malinaw ang usapan namin at ipinapaliwanag nga namin na hindi pa pinal ‘yan. Kailangan ma-evaluate namin kung sino talaga ang pwede namin bigyan ng state witness status (It’s clear in our discussions and it was explained to them that this is not final yet. We have to evaluate who will be given the state witness status),” Remulla said.

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