‘Ador’ gets provisional state protection

Controversial state witness Angelo "Ador" Mawanay, who accused Sen. Panfilo Lacson of involvement in the illegal drug trade, has been provisionally admitted into the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).

Mawanay’s lawyer Argee Guevarra viewed the move as recognition that the testimony of his client is "truthful and credible," particularly regarding Lacson’s alleged connection with big-time drug lords and the summary execution of suspects.

A letter signed by Senior State Prosecutor Leo Dacera III in his capacity as WPP director, stated that Mawanay’s admission into the program was effective for six months retroactive to Sept. 14, but subject to periodic review.

As a WPP ward, Mawanay is entitled to "temporary shelter," reimbursement of "reasonable" travel expenses, subsistence allowance and security protection.

A reliable source said Mawanay was granted only provisional admission because he and his lawyer committed several procedural lapses in filing their application for WPP coverage.

For one, Mawanay’s application did not have the required endorsement by the Senate president.

Another reason cited was the fact that Mawanay’s testimony would not be used in a court of law since no charges were filed against Lacson.

The source said the application of Mawanay, a legislative witness, should have been endorsed by Senate President Franklin Drilon.

Mawanay testified about Lacson’s alleged complicity in the illegal drug trade during public hearings conducted by the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs headed by Sen. Robert Barbers.

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez’s decision to admit Mawanay into the WPP was merely meant to appease the witness who has been complaining about alleged government inaction on his complaint, the source said.

Some quarters doubted his allegation that Lacson ordered him to deliver drugs to suspected drug lord Kim Wong, and that he saw a kidnap victim murdered by Lacson protégé Senior Superintendent Michael Ray Aquino.

Mawanay’s credibility was seriously doubted after he failed to give a credible account of his alleged delivery of 1,000 units of smuggled 3210 Nokia cellular phones to Sen. Loren Legarda and a big amount of money to Sen. Noli de Castro.