‘Rosebud’ Ong seeks reinstatement to Witness Protection Program

MANILA, Philippines – Mary “Rosebud” Ong is asking the Department of Justice to re-instate her status as witness under its witness protection program (WPP), saying she is afraid now “more than ever.”

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima disclosed during Tuesday’s hearing in the Senate that Ong had been removed from the WPP based on the assessment by the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) that the threats to Ong’s life had considerably reduced.

Ong confirmed receiving a notice of termination last September 2.

But in her draft letter to De Lima, a copy of which was furnished to INQUIRER.net, Ong claimed that the threats still existed and that she was afraid now more than ever.

“I would like to believe that ISAFP Chief General [Romulo] Bambao has either deceived you or have overlooked the fact that I am still escorted by ISAFP security personnel in attending ongoing court hearings,” she said.

Bambao was replaced by incumbent ISAFP chief Cesar Ronnie Ordayo.

“It also puzzles me to think on what basis of intelligence work ISAFP made to certify a conclusive finding that threat no longer exists on my life,” Ong said.

“I, the person concerned was never consulted. The journal monitored by ISAFP can help explain how afraid I am now than ever, contrary to their conclusion,” she further said.

Ong specifically pointed to her detractor, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who she said escaped trial and came back with a “vengeance”.

“I know my detractors too well to say that any window of opportunity exposed will be my last day, execution style. If ISAFP insists on no threat on my life, I interpret it as gifting me to my detractors to have me killed,” she said.

When she agreed to be placed under the WPP, Ong said she was assured by the previous government that she would be under protective custody “for the entire completion of all cases and or until the threat, intimidation disappears.”

“I was told that my family and I can have a change of personal identity at the expense of the program so that we can leave to another country to start a new life,” she said.

But for seven years, Ong said she lived in a dilapidated room inside the ISAFP canteen without television cable, landline phone Internet.

And sometime August 2010, she lamented that she was even made to pay with her own money the bills of the government phone, internet and Destiny cable subscribed by a military officer addressed to ISAFP Division.

“The repairs of damage caused by typhoon were rejected by ISAFP for paymen so I had to spend for the repairs of a government facility,” she said.

“I started to feel afraid. I thought it was Gen Bambao’s way of booting me out. I do not know what I have done wrong,” she said.

Ong then asked the DoJ to re-instate her status as witness under the WPP “with the same benefits and under the protective custody of ISAFP.”

“When I took my oath, I swore to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. I am committed to finish to the last hearing day and promulgation of the cases,” she said.

“I intend to finish my two cases and leave the country. Only you, Madam Secretary can help me fulfill this promise,” she added.