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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Sunday, October 8, 2017
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MANILA – Sen. Grace Poe pushed for the immediate passage of the proposed Whistleblowers’ Protection Act in light of information that witnesses to extrajudicial killings have sought refuge from the Catholic Church.
“We encourage everyone to come out but we also have to have something in place to guarantee their safety,” Poe said. “Napakahirap maging whistleblower dito, at hindi pa nga natin naipapasa ang Whistleblowers’ [Protection] Act.”
The measure would provide whistleblowers and their families additional protection, security and benefits, said the senator.
“I hope the Whistleblowers Act will finally hurdle Congress para talagang may funding for witness protection at mayroon talagang proseso kung paano mapoprotektahan ang mga lalabas,” Poe said.
Some of the witnesses were police officers, who were afraid to come forward for fear of retaliation from superiors, she said. “Hindi mo rin sila masisisi na hindi sila lumabas kasi natatakot.”
Still, their claims must be validated, Poe stressed.
“It depends on what their testimony will be and if it can be proven na mayroon talaga, kasi kahit sino pwedeng lumabas at magsabi na, ‘Hindi, inutusan kami,’” she said. “Kailangan mapatunayan kung totoo nga iyon, na hindi naman sila nagde-destabilize lang.”
“Iyong mga pulis hindi naman iyan lalabas at isusugal ang kanilang kaligtasan at hanapbuhay kung hindi sila talagang nababagabag,” she added.
Earlier Poe welcomed the “willingness” of police officers to speak about their actual involvement in the drug war and lauded the Catholic Church for “opening its arms wide to provide a sanctuary for them.”/PN
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