MANILA – The government’s program for protecting state witnesses crucial in prosecuting criminal cases has exceeded its performance target for 2023, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday.
In a statement, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the DOJ’s Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program (DOJ-WPSBP) achieved a 95.65-percent success rate in prosecuting cases with witnesses covered by the program in the previous year, exceeding its 84.80 percent target.
The WPSBP has also achieved a perfect 100 percent rating in processing applications for witness coverage, and percentage of witnesses covered “with no reported untoward incidents.”
Remulla congratulated WPSB officials and personnel for their dedication and sacrifices in achieving the feat.
“Your mission plays a very vital role in upholding the Rule of Law, a snappy salute to your unwavering dedication to safeguard witnesses with your very own lives on the line to ensure that justice will never be denied, delayed or compromised,” he said.
“The Department recognizes your accomplishments of ‘exceeding expectations’ in your professional lives. We need more of you,” he added. (PNA)
