Rep. Ecleo ordered arrested for parricide

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to serve the warrant of arrest against Dinagat Islands Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr., who is facing a parricide case for the killing of his wife.

Central Visayas Police director Chief Superintendent Ager Ontog clarified that they have yet to receive any order of arrest from the Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) handling the case of Ecleo.

“We have not received any order but we are duty bound and ready to implement order from the court,” Ontog told The STAR in a mobile phone interview.

Ontog said the religious group of Ecleo held a religious session last month but the congressman did not attend the event.

Earlier, Cebu Judge Soliver Peras ordered the issuance of a hold-departure order against the embattled lawmaker but said it may be lifted if Ecleo can prove that his trip abroad is of “utmost importance.”

Ecleo, the “supreme master” of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, was charged with killing his wife, the former Alona Bacolod, in January of 2002. Ecleo maintained his innocence of the charge.