It's not up to CIDG to decide if Bikoy qualifies for WPP —Albayalde

It is not up to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) whether Peter Joemel Advincula, the man who claims to be the narrator behind the anti-Duterte videos, should be placed under the Witness Protection Program (WPP), Philippine National Police (chief) Police General Oscar Albayalde said on Tuesday.

Albayalde was asked—a day after Advincula surrendered to the CIDG—if he sees any problem with Advincula as a possible witness in relation to CIDG’s sedition complaint against Vice President Leni Robredo and other members of the opposition.

Advincula is now detained in relation to a warrant of arrest for under a cyberlibel case filed by Bicolano businessman Zaldy Co.

“It’s not the CIDG the will decide whether Bikoy will be a witness or not. I’m not really sure kung nagapply siya ng WPP. Pero accordingly magaapply siya. Pero it’s up to the court kung gagamitin siya na witness or not,” Albayalde told reporters.

He emphasized that Advincula is presently detained, unless he will post the recommended P10,000 bail.

“As of this time detainee siya kasi he has a standing warrant of arrest. Not until magbail siya, he will not be a free man,” the PNP chief noted.

Advincula surrendered to authorities around 7 p.m. Monday.

CIDG-NCR chief Colonel Arnold Thomas Ibay noted the arrest order against Advincula was issued by the Legazpi City Regional Trial Court Branch 5.

Advincula’s testimonies were used by the PNP-CIDG for the sedition complaint against Robredo, members of the opposition, and church leaders. —VDS, GMA News