Slay suspect appeals for police protection

The family of Joel Reduca, the 34-year-old house painter who stabbed a tabloid columnist in Quezon City inside a billiard hall last week, is asking the Central Police District (CPD) to ensure his safety as he is allegedly in danger of being killed to stop him from exposing the brains in the slay attempt.

His father, Jessie, said he fears for his son’s life since he is up against a very powerful police colonel and two senior policemen.

Reduca, he said, is a key witness against Superintendent Demosthenes Felix and SPO4 Benito Antiniolos of the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG) office in Navotas.

Felix and Antiniolos, along with a third police officer yet to be identified, allegedly masterminded the plan to kill Bulgar columnist Pablo Hernandez III last Feb. 8.

The two were charged for frustrated murder before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office (QCPO), along with Reduca.

Three still unidentified men allegedly paid Reduca’s family a visit at their residence in General Trias, Cavite offering cash for Reduca’s bail bond.

But the family said they turned down the offer as Reduca’s life may be placed in greater danger once he is no longer in police custody.

CPD director Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan said they will study the possibility of placing Reduca under the witness protection program of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"We will look into it. We can recommend but it will be the decision of the DOJ," he told The STAR in a telephone interview.

Radovan said the DOJ might not approve it since Reduca is the one who stabbed the veteran newsman.

In case the DOJ turns down the recommendation, the CPD chief said his men will provide security to Reduca who is now detained in Camp Karingal. — Michael Punongbayan