About P150,000 in cash reward is offered to anyone who could provide information leading to the whereabouts of elusive, convicted cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr.
But is the amount announced by Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome, director general of the Philippine National Police, enough?
Prosecution lawyers, police and an anti-crime group were mixed in their sentiments.
Lawyer Kit Enriquez, one of the private prosecutors, and Thelma Chiong, national vice president of the Crusade Against Violence (CAV), said the amount was “too small.”
But Cebu provincial police officials said the P150,000 cash reward is sufficient incentive for civilians and even loyal followers of Ecleo’s Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA) to provide information on the cult leader’s location.
Enriquez and Chiong said Ecleo could easily match the P150,000 reward to avoid arrest by the police.
Still, Enriquez said the reward money is a good start.
“I hope others will also donate funds as reward money for Ecleo’s arrest,” he said.
All things possible
Another prosecution lawyer, Fritz Quiñanola, is hoping disgruntled PBMA members could help police locate Ecleo.
Quiñanola served as PNP chief of Caraga Region where Dinagat Island, Ecleo’s stronghold, is located.
He said the reward money is intended to motivate the public and not the police, who are mandated to arrest Ecleo.
“At least with the P150,000, Ecleo will feel the heat,” Quiñanola said.
Still, Quiñanola admitted that Ecleo may have undergone cosmetic surgery to change his face.
“All things are possible if you have the money,” said Quinanola.
As things stand now, Quiñanola said Ecleo’s options are limited to surrender, forced arrest, flight abroad or cosmetic surgery. Prosecution lawyers said Ecleo has until April 28 to surrender.
Fugitive list
Otherwise, his conviction on parricide charges for his wife Alona Bacolod’s murder will be deemed final and executory.
Chiong said Ecleo could match the reward money since he easily paid P1 million for bail.
“Reward money is not needed. If police will only do their part, they could arrest Ecleo,” she said.
Ecleo has been included in the A1 or priority list of fugitives of the Department of Justice.
He joins retired army general Jovito Palparan, former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and the latter’s brother, Coron Mayor Mario Reyes, in the list.
The PNP earlier dangled a P500,000 reward money for the arrest of Palparan, who’s accused in the deaths of two student activists.
But the DOJ and the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) doubled the amount to P1 million.
Easily identified
Former governor Reyes and his brother are tagged in the murder of environmentalist-broadcaster Gerry Ortega.
On June 18, 2002, Ecleo surrendered after a gun battle between police and his followers in Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte.
Alona’s brother Ben was shot dead by an assailant inside the family’s home in barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
Also killed were Alona and Ben’s parents Elpidio and Rosalia Bacolod, sister Evelyn and a neighbor, Paterno Lactawan.
The gunman identified as Rico Gumonong is an Ecleo follower who got shot down by pursuing police.
Senior Supt. Mariano Natuel, chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Branch (RIDMB) of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said the cash reward could be increased in a month or two.
Bounty hunters are discouraged, Natuel said. “Ecleo can be easily identified,” Natuel said. He said there are seven policemen in Cebu who are PBMA members.
“Some of them are active members, but some are inactive,” Natuel said.
Not above the law
Natuel said he was also recruited to join the PBMA before but he declined the offer.
Senior Supt. Orlando Ualat, chief of the Regional Directorial Staff of the PRO-7, said police who are PBMA members have no reason not to arrest Ecleo.
For his part, Rep. Luigi Quisumbing of Cebu’s 6th district said he trusts in the “wisdom and judgment” of the leaders in Congress to decide what’s best for the country in dealing with Ecleo.
Aside from parricide, Ecleo was convicted of graft during his stint as mayor of Dinagat Island in 1991 to 1994.
His conviction has a penalty of 18 years in jail and perpetual and absolute disqualification from public office.
“Nobody is above the law, especially those sworn to uphold and enforce the laws of this country,” Quisumbing said.
Ecleo won as congressman of Dinagat Islands in the May 2010 elections. With Correspondents Jhunnex Napallacan, Carmel Loise Matus and Gabriel C. Bonjoc