Villanueva's family vows prosecution of recruiter

ILAGAN, Isabela , Philippines  – The family of executed drug trafficker Sally Ordinario-Villanueva vowed yesterday to pin down her alleged recruiter and the West African drug syndicate blamed for her death.

Speaking over radio, Sally’s father Peter Ordinario said he would immediately usher the prosecution of alleged recruiter Tita Cacayan, a townmate in Alicia, Isabela.

The Ordinario family is gathering information on the drug syndicate and would press charges soon after Sally’s interment, he added.

However, the National Bureau of Investigation is yet to build a case against Cacayan.

The Ordinarios have charged Cacayan with large-scale recruitment.

Her family said Sally’s remains will stay for two days in the conjugal home in the Habitat Subdivision in Barangay Gumbaoan, Echague, Isabela. It will later be brought to her husband’s hometown in the remote Barangay Tupax in Jones town, the family added.

The local government has arranged security and traffic rerouting in Echague at the expense of the local police.

Under the Revised Penal Code, executed felons are not allowed a pompous funeral and should be interred immediately.

The law aims to prevent the cadaver from being used as a rallying point or to make martyrs out of the dead to the detriment of the country’s interest, according to Prosecutor Rommel Baligod.

However, Baligod and former justice secretary Silvestre Bello III said the law does not apply to Ordinario, who was convicted and executed outside the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Sally’s brother wants to become a state witness, according to Pangasinan Rep. Gina de Venecia.

Jason Ordinario told De Venecia that as much as he would like to become a state witness to help fight the illegal drug problem, he fears for his two children’s future. Jason said the government extends protection only to witnesses under the witness protection program.

Basilisa Ordinario, mother of Sally, also said the government must exert all efforts to go after those behind the death of her daughter.

She said they fear for their lives, which was why Sally’s husband “disappeared” for days prior to the execution of his wife last March 30.

De Venecia was accompanied by Russel Contemplacion, daughter of Flor Contemplacion, who was also executed in Singapore years ago.

It was De Venecia and her husband, then Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., who looked after the education of Russel and employed her at the House of Representatives.

Russel is still working at the House.

Binay visits wake

Vice President Jejomar Binay was the first top official to visit the wake of Ordinario-Villanueva barely three hours after her remains arrived at Habitat Homes, Barangay Gumbaoan.

Binay came from a commencement exercise and a medical mission in Cabagan town and was proceeding to another graduation ceremony at the Isabela State University in Echague.