Cancellation of Ecleo’s passport sought

THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is seeking the cancellation of Ruben Ecleo Jr.’s passport to ensure that he won’t be able to travel abroad.

Regional Trial Court Judge Soliver Peras of Branch 10 is set to hear the pleading.

Lawyer Democrito Barcenas, one of the private prosecutors in the case, said Ecleo is prohibited from travelling outside the country following his two convictions on different charges.

“It’s a given. I don’t think its debatable that he has been convicted. Without a passport, he won’t be able to travel abroad,” Barcenas said.

Last April, the judge convicted Ecleo of parricide for killing his wife Alona Ecleo in 2002.

The congressman was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison and ordered to pay P26.3 million in damages. He was dropped from the rolls of the House of Representatives.

The bounty for Ecleo’s arrest was increased to P2 million by President Aquino. /REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL