Ex-DPWH engineer under ‘protective custody’ due to security concerns

STATE WITNESS Henry C. Alcantara has been transferred to the Witness Protection Program (WPP) under the Department of Justice (DoJ) from Senate custody, the agency confirmed on Wednesday.

According to Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida, the dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer is now under “protective custody” due to security concerns linked to his cooperation with the government investigations over the anomalous “ghost” flood control and infrastructure projects.

“Yes, he is officially under the protective custody of the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice,” Mr. Vida told reporters. He added that further details could not be disclosed for security reasons.

Under Republic Act No. 6981, the Witness Protection, Security, and Benefit Act, the DoJ provides protective custody to witnesses of serious crimes, offering benefits that include secure housing, security protection, immunity from criminal prosecution related to their testimony, livelihood assistance, among others.

Mr. Vida said that Mr. Alcantara remains available to cooperate with congressional inquiries, if his testimony is required. In a letter dated Jan. 21 to Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, Mr. Vida assured that Mr. Alcantara “shall fully cooperate with the Senate of the Philippines should his presence be required by the Blue Ribbon Committee.”

“The end goal here is cooperation. That is why they are admitted to the program — because they are cooperating with the government,” he told reporters.

He added that discussions are still ongoing regarding possible protection for three other state witnesses — Gerard P. Opulencia, Sally N. Santos, and Roberto R. Bernardo. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking