MANILA, Philippines — Former Bureau of Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban is no longer part of the government’s Witness Protection Program, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said.
In October 2018, Guban was transferred to the Department of Justice after his application for inclusion in the Witness Protection Program has been approved.
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A Manila court has issued a warrant of arrest against Guban, former police official Eduardo Acierto, former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency deputy director for administration Ismael Fajardo; importers Chan Yee Wah alias KC Chan and Zhou Quan alias Zhang Quan; consignees Vedasto Cabral Baraquel Jr. and Maria Lagrimaas Catipan of Vecaba Trading and Emily Luquingan.
Guevarra said that the notice termination of Guban’s WPP coverage was served to him personally, and was given before the court-issued warrant of arrest was served.
“He will remain in NBI custody until the prosecution has determined during the trial if he could be recommended for discharge to become a state witness,” the Justice chief added.
Guban was placed under the WPP through the recommendation of Sen. Richard Gordon, then head of Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, that conducted a legislative probe into the entry of the multi-billion shabu that was concealed in magnetic lifters last year.
The police has launched a track down of those facing warrants of arrest.
Guevarra has also ordered a probe into the leakage of a DOJ resolution that indicted Guban and seven others as it supposedly foiled the authorities manhunt on the accused.