MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Friday said it will file a case against the driver of cult leader and former Dinagat Islands Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr. for alleged obstruction of the fugitive’s arrest.
“‘Yung kasama po niya (Ecleo) yung si Relacion Fernan ay member ng Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA). Hinuli din namin ‘yung driver kasi i-cha-charge namin ng harboring fugitives,” NCRPO chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas said in a press conference at Quezon City Police District Headquarters in Camp Karingal.
(His companion, Relacion Fernan is a member of PBMA. We caught him because we will charge him for harboring fugitives.)
On Thursday, police said that Ecleo, one of the country’s most wanted fugitive, and his driver were arrested in San Fernando City, Pampanga. The two are under custody of NCRPO Headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
In 2012, Ecleo was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty for parricide over the killing of his wife Alona Bacolod-Ecleo. Ecleo strangled his wife to death inside their home in Cebu City in 2002.
During the arrest, Sinas said they recovered several firearms and ammunition from Ecleo, who is known to be a “gun enthusiast.”
“Ang bago lang po nito ay yung sinurrender niya (Ecleo) pong baril. May nakuha po kaming baril: ‘yung one long firearm, M16 rile bala plus two short firearms,” Sinas said.
(What is new here, Ecleo surrendered guns. We obtained one long firearm, M16 rifle plus ammunition nd two short firearms.)
“Kung mapansin ninyo, isa sa inamin ni Mr. Ecleo Jr. na siya ay gun enthusiast at miyembro siya dati ng gun club kaya mapansin niyo magaganda yung baril niya. Pang-shooters,” the Metro top cop added.
(If you look into it, one of the confessions of Ecleo is that he is a gun enthusiast and he is a member of gun club and you can see that he has good guns. They are for shooters.)
What’s next for Ecleo?
The NCRPO’s legal team is currently working with the concerned courts to turnover Ecleo, Sinas said.
“’Yung legal is now coordinating with the courts kung saan siya (Ecleo) i-tu-turnover. We would still contact the RTC (Regional Trial Court) concerned kung san siya dadalhin,” Sinas said.
(Our legal team is now coordinating courts where he will be turned over. We would still contact the RTC concerned where he will be brought.)
Sinas said Ecleo was already interviewed. The fugitive also underwent a medical exam and drug test to check his health status, Sinas added.