PNP forms team to secure Veloso’s alleged recruiter

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been tasked to form a team to provide security for Ma. Kristina Sergio, Mary Jane Veloso’s alleged recruiter, as the National Bureau of Investigation probes the incident that has placed Veloso on death row.

This as Sergio, guarded by Nueva Ecija police including its highest official, went to the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame on Wednesday afternoon to seek protective custody after receiving multiple death threats.

But Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, in a press briefing on Wednesday, clarified that the protective custody given to Sergio did not mean the government deemed her innocent of Veloso’s allegations against her.

“Gusto ko lang linawin na ang pagbibigay ng protective custody sa kanya ay hindi ibig sabihin pinapawalang sala siya,” Roxas said. “This is for her physical protection in case something happens to her.”

He also said that turning Sergio witness was far-fetched.

After his meeting with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Sergio, lawyer Persida Acosta and some PNP leaders, Roxas said PNP officer in charge Deputy Director Gen. Leonardo Espina had been tasked to form a security team for Sergio.

“We are agreeing to the request of Sergio … magkakaroon ng coordination ang DILG, PNP, DOJ and  NBI na magkaron ng hatian sa labor para bigyan siya ng proteksyon,” he said.

As to why she needed to be subjected to protective custody, Roxas said Sergio had been getting threats on her cell phone.

He said Sergio had surrendered her mobile phone to the PNP and it would be “cyberanalyzed” by the police and the NBI.

De Lima, who had earlier said that the National Bureau of Investigation should take custody of Veloso’s recruiter, said Sergio chose to stay in PNP.

“Ang pinili niya na kung saan siya ay sa PNP with the right of access being given to the investigators of NBI. The PNP will make sure that safeguards are all being undertaken,” she said in the same briefing.

The justice secretary said the DOJ had formed a team to study the allegations of Veloso against Sergio and her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao.

The couple and an African national are facing human trafficking, illegal recruitment and estafa with swindling charges filed by the NBI before the DOJ. RC