'Reinstate soldier-witness in Esperat slay'

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has asked Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to reinstate an Army soldier, who was initially accused of the murder of journalist Marlene Esperat but turned state witness.

In a four-page letter to Gazmin, De Lima said Sgt. Rowie Barua was “dishonorably discharged” by Col. Edilberto Suratos, Army adjutant general, effective May 17, 2010, even though the latter was later acquitted.

De Lima also questioned why Suratos’ letter was silent on how the decision to dishonorably charge Barua has been reached.

“Due diligence on the Army’s part would have readily indicated that his testimony assumes greater significance because he is the only one who could link the masterminds to the crime,” De Lima’s letter said.

Esperat is a journalist based in Sultan Kudarat who was murdered inside her home in 2004. She exposed the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, wherein no less than former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was among those implicated.

Barua’s testimony led to the conviction of the gunmen in the murder of Esperat, namely Randy Grecia, Gerry Baguin Cabayag and Estanislao Bismanos.

De Lima said Barua was admitted to the witness protection program because of grave threats to his life and that of his family and his dismissal from service has “seriously affected” his morale.

“This unending harassment would certainly adversely affect (Barua’s) resolve to testify against the masterminds eventually resulting in a miscarriage of justice. This is the condition under which a culture of impunity thrives,” De Lima said.