‘Bikoy’ seeks witness protection

MANILA, Philippines — Fearing for his client’s life, lawyer Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday afternoon to place Peter Joemel Advincula, who claims to be “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos, under its witness protection program (WPP).

Gadon said the 30-year-old Advincula has been receiving threats sent by anonymous people to his cell phone and that his life “is somewhat in danger.”

Advincula is the only witness in the sedition complaint filed by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) against Vice President Leni Robredo, members of the clergy, Otso Diretso senatorial bets and others identified with the opposition. 

“They are influential people and even if we do not assume that they themselves would do some nasty act, we cannot say about their supporters, and that is why he (Advincula) should be placed under the WPP,” Gadon added. 

In a letter of intent addressed to DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Advincula asked to be placed under the direct supervision of Col. Benjamin Silo Jr., Northern Police District deputy director for operations, and Maj. Ronie Miranda Fabia, CIDG-Albay director.

Gadon said his client hopes their request for protection would be granted immediately since the DOJ is set to hold its first preliminary investigation hearing on the sedition charge on Friday. 

Guevarra said that they would have to carefully evaluate Advincula’s request for WPP coverage.