A LOCAL police official on Monday, October 8, confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has already placed the lone witness to the killing of former University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) president Ricardo Rotoras under the government's Witness Protection Program (WPP).
Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa II, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said the Justice department approved the application to place the witness under the WPP last September 28.
Hortillosa said the DOJ will now have custody of the male witness and ensure his protection and security.
He said agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will also be tasked to escort the witness every time he appears in court hearings.
The identity of the witness was known after a murder case was filed against the alleged gunman Johnreal Gamanay.
"Maayo kini nga development kay aron ma-protectionan ang witness kay mao ray paglaom nga mahatagan hustisya ang kamatayon ni Dr. Rotoras (This is a good development because at least the witness, who is our hope to achieve justice, will be protected)," Hortillosa said.
Rotoras was gunned down last December 2. The person who ordered the killing has remained free as investigators still face a blank wall as to his or her identity.
Hortillosa said Gamanay was either afraid of revealing the mastermind's identity or does not know at all who had ordered the killing.
He said members of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) are continuously following all the leads that come in.
"Padayon ang monitoring sa SITG ug ga-share sila sa unsa ilang makuha nga update (The SITG has continued its monitoring and they are sharing whatever updates they get),"Hortillosa said, adding that identifying the identity of the mastermind is difficult to achieved.
He also said investigators are still waiting for the result of the examination on the footage of the closed circuit television (CCTV) and Rotoras' cellphone.
Hortillosa said authorities are one with Rotoras' family in hoping that the mastermind will be put behind bars soonest.