Former Customs intel officer Guban now under WPP, says Gordon

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:46 p.m.) — Sen. Richard Gordon said on Tuesday that former Bureau of Customs intelligence agent Jimmy Guban has been placed under state protection.

News5 reported that Gordon, chair of the Senate’s blue ribbon committee, said that the Department of Justice has approved Guban’s application for inclusion in the Witness Protection Program.

JUST IN | Isasailalim na sa kustodiya ng Department of Justice si dating Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban, ayon kay Sen. Richard Gordon. Pumayag na raw ang ahensiya na isama si Guban sa Witness Protection Program. | via @maeannelosbanos pic.twitter.com/j8RGPvfoIP

— News5 AKSYON (@News5AKSYON) October 30, 2018

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has confirmed, on late Tuesday afternoon, that Guban is now under the Witness Protection Program, which is under the DOJ.

He however declined to divulge more details regarding  Guban’s transfer, citing the confidentiality of the state protection program.

He has earlier said that Guban would be turned over to the National Bureau of Investigation when the Gordon-led panel concludes hearings.

The Senate’s blue ribbon committee conducted on Tuesday a legislative inquiry into the shabu shipment that alllegedly slipped past authorities in July. The shipment is said to be worth P11 billion.

Duterte's 'arrest order' for Guban

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered the arrest, and detention of Guban at the National Bureau of Investigation, despite apparent lack of court-issued warrant.

But Gordon said that they would not turn over Guban to NBI as they are still conducting hearings.

The senator earlier said that Guban is a “vital witness” in the multibillion-peso shabu shipment case. Gordon added that Guban pointed to former Senior Superintendent Eduardo Acierto as one of the people who informed him of the entry of the shipment.

The multibillion-peso shabu shipment case has prompted Duterte to appoint former Armed Forces chief of staff Rey Guerrero to head the Bureau of Customs.

The president also said that military will be “taking over” the bureau, which he said is corruption-ridden.

READ: It’s Duterte’s call on placing military in Customs — Isidro Lapeña

Guerrero's appointment paper has yet to be made public. The “paperwork” of the military “takeover” has also yet to be made public, but presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo assured the public that it will come later and that putting troops at the Bureau of Customs is legal. —  Kristine Joy Patag