DOJ: Alfred Mendiola kept breaking rules, refused witness protection

The Department of Justice (DOJ) asserted Wednesday that all necessary measures were taken to secure Alfred Mendiola—a key witness in the January 2011 murder of car dealer Venson Evangelista. However, it was Mendiola who opted out of the witness protection program (WPP), a DOJ official said.   Mendiola was found dead, bound and gagged together with two other men in Dasmarinas City in Cavite last Sunday.   In an interview with GMA News’ John Consulta, Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona of the Southern Police District, said evidence gathered from an abandoned van in Parañaque might produce leads on the suspects in the killing of Mendiola and his companions. Waiver from witness protection Mendiola’s death came some three months after he executed a waiver requesting that he be already removed from the WPP.   Martin Minez, WPP director, told reporters that the DOJ did not commit any lapses while Mendiola was in their custody.   "We made sure na talagang ‘by the book’ ang aming ginagawa kay Alfred Mendiola. Lahat ng maaaring precaution, ginawa namin diyan," said Minez.   After he finished testifying in the Evangelista case, Mendiola was turned over to the WPP by the Bulacan provincial jail, where he has been detained since being tagged in the case.   Minez claimed that Mendiola said he did not want to stay in a safehouse and instead requested if he could just rent an apartment in Angeles City in Pampanga.   The DOJ refused Mendiola's request and opted to keep him in some other undisclosed place under tight monitoring.   "Until such time, umaalis siya ng walang paalam sa WPP. Marami na siyang violations sa programa. Noong bagong pasok pa lang sya sa programa, nabalitaaan ninyo na tumakas siya sa mga nagbababntay sa kanya," said Minez.   Out of respect to Mendiola and his family, the WPP director refused to elaborate on Mendiola's other violations while under the WPP.   Minez said the government respects state witnesses who choose not to stay in safehouse and prefer to return to their community, so long as they continue to be monitored by government agents.   "Alam mo may mga testigo na mas tingin  nila comfortable at secure sa kanilang bahay. Nangyayari iyan  sa mga probinsya kasi magkakakila sila sa kanilang barrio. At kung may ibang mukha, madali nilang makilala," the WPP chief said.   He explained that state witnesses who prefer not to be confined in safehouse are required to sign a waiver.   Minez stressed the importance of cooperation between the government and those covered by the WPP.   "Obligasyon din ng witness na ipaalam sa WPP ang kanilang mga aktibidades kung importante talaga. Coordination ang kailangan," he stressed.   Minez' statement came a day after Evangelista's father and the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption wrote to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to recommend changes to the Republic Act 6981 or the Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Act. — ELR, GMA News