Dialogue between prosecutors and law enforcers
DOJ Witness Protection Program and Board of Claims

HSF

As part of the efforts to strengthen communication between prosecution and law enforcement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) conducted a dialogue on its Witness Protection Program (WPP) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.  Held on 24 October 2019, the day-long activity had more than one hundred participants from prosecution, law enforcement and security forces.  Said program was discussed in detail by the Office of the Regional Prosecutor X’s Regional Implementor for the Witness Protection, Security & Benefit Program (WPSBP), including the requirements for admittance, the obligations of witnesses under the program and the procedures involved.  The participants’ questions were addressed by the Regional Implementor, concurrently the OIC-Deputy Regional Prosecutor of the Northern Mindanao Region, to which the Province of Bukidnon belongs.

As discussed, the WPP is a program of the DOJ that was established under “The Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act” or Republic Act 6981 (R.A. 6981).  The program “seeks to encourage a person who has witnessed or has knowledge of the commission of a crime to testify before a court of quasi-judicial body, or before an investigating authority, by protecting him from reprisals and from economic dislocation.”

Amongst the benefits a person who is under the WPP can avail himself/herself of are “security protection and escort services; immunity from criminal prosecution and not to be subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for any transaction, matter or thing concerning his compelled testimony or books, documents or writings produced; secure housing facility; assistance in obtaining a means of livelihood; reasonable traveling expenses and subsistence allowance while acting as a witness; free medical treatment, hospitalization and medicine for any injury or illness incurred or suffered while acting as a witness; burial benefits of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) if the witness is killed because of his participation in the program; free education from primary to college level for the minor or dependent children of a witness who dies or is permanently incapacitated; and non-removal or demotion in work because of absences due to his being a witness and payment of full salary or wage while acting as witness.”

HSF

The prosecutors, police investigators and members of the security forces present acknowledged having gained a deeper understanding of the DOJ’s WPP and the unique role each has in the accomplishment of their work as a prosecution-and-law-enforcement team, in relation to the WPP and towards their shared goal of improved prosecution.  This has helped to enhance their communication and to improve their work relations, thusly strengthened the link between these two pillars of justice, and contribute towards the successful conviction of cases.

As a related concern, the Board of Claims was discussed to help disseminate information about possible benefits available for victims of violent crimes who may qualify to claim upon compliance with stated requirements.  Information flyers with application forms were distributed to interested participants.  Participants spoken with admitted to having little or no knowledge about the matter.  Amongst the members of the security forces, at least five claimed eligibility and expressed interest in applying for claims from the Board.

Since the launching dialogue in September 2017, twenty-three activities have been held in the region, plus one in Manila.  Amongst these, this was the eight that was conducted in the Province of Bukidnon.  With a broad geographical area unique from that of other provinces in the Northern Mindanao Region, the Province of Bukidnon is known to be a hotbed for terrorist activities.  Close collaboration amongst prosecution, law enforcement and security forces is therefore of paramount importance. 

This dialogue was organised by the Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation as part of the partnership between the two organisations on the program, “Dialogue between Prosecutors and Police Investigators from the Northern Mindanao Region,” which began in 2017.