The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) would continue giving security to Laoag City Councilor Modesto Melvin M. dela Cuesta until threats to his life subside. This was the assurance given by INPPO Provincial Director Juan G. Luna as he said at least two police officers would continue to escort Dela Cuesta despite his latest ‘change of heart’, recanting his fourth testimony on the Jimmy Chua case which implicated Laoag City Mayor Michael V. Fariñas.

“It is still our responsibility to provide him security because whenever he comes in our office, he always talks about receiving threats to his life,” Luna said.

Dela Cuesta earlier filed another affidavit during the April 25 preliminary investigation of the Chua case at the Department of Justice (DOJ), wherein he said the NBI forced him to sign the affidavit implicating Fariñas.

The embattled councilor said right after Chua’s shooting that two motorcycle-riding men were the ones who shot the late Laoag City vice mayor.

However, on February 25, he read a statement over a local radio station where he said his conscience bothered which is why he was forced to tell the truth about the incident.

The alleged truth contained in Dela Cuesta’s fourth affidavit was that Fariñas “accidentally shot” Chua inside the Eagle’s Nest Bar and Restaurant.

But when Dela Cuesta appeared during a council session last March, he said he was frustrated with the way the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which was the lead investigating agency of the Chua case, included him in the charge sheet.

The councilor also scored Laoag City Councilor Edison O. Chua, brother of the late vice mayor, for his apparent “cold treatment” despite the “favor” he was supposedly doing for their family.

Leilanie G. Adriano