FORMER PDEA agent Jonathan Morales found an ally in whistleblower Sandra Cam after testifying against President Bongbong Marcos.
However, according to Cam, Morales should expect that the challenges ahead will not be easy.
“(Would you agree that Agent Morales’ life won’t return to normal after speaking against the sitting President?) Yes,” whistleblower Sandra Cam said.
That’s the response from Sandra Cam, a former whistleblower who once clashed with a Philippine President.
She testified against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the issue of jueteng.
She sees similarities in what former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales is going through now.
He signed the 2012 pre-operations report where then-Senator, now-President Bongbong Marcos was targeted in an anti-drug operation.
Morales emerged in the Senate investigation, where it was revealed how the PDEA documents containing the current President’s name were leaked.
“I really pitied him yesterday. As a matter of fact, I cried. Because I know it’s hard to defend oneself. That everybody was getting at him yesterday. Everyone is calling him all sorts of names,” Sandra Cam, President, Whistleblowers Association of the Philippines stated.
The current PDEA leadership refuted Morales’ revelations.
During the hearing, the former PDEA agent was repeatedly called a liar by officials of the anti-drug agency.
But according to Cam, the President of the Whistleblowers Association of the Philippines, Morales, a new whistleblower, will go through the eye of the needle.
“During my time, GMA was so strong at that time. But, the first one who sheltered me was the church. Led by the late Archbishop Cruz of the CBCP. Then he handed me over to Senator Ping Lacson,” Cam added.
She said Former Senator Lacson provided a security detail—a step that Senators should also take.
So, she called on Senate President Migz Zubiri and other lawmakers.
“Give it now. At this time, his life is at stake. At any moment, he could be killed, his child could be kidnapped,” Cam added.
Meanwhile, according to a law expert, Morales has two options to seek protection.
Senate Witness Morales may seek protection from Senate, DOJ—Law Expert
“We think if they trust the DOJ because the DOJ is under the executive department, they can apply for the witness protection program at the DOJ. But if not, they can get security here in the Senate,” Atty. Mark Tolentino Law Expert stated.
Tolentino also emphasized the right of whistleblowers to have legal representation during hearings.
The group of whistleblowers will also reach out to Morales to offer assistance.
They also call on the government to treat those willing to risk their lives for the truth with proper respect.
“Just focus, Mr. Morales. Just focus, I love you and I congratulate you for the way you answered during that hearing. And I’m hoping that by the next hearing, if there are more senators, don’t be swayed, stick to what’s on your mind and the truth of the document that came out. Just stick to that,” Cam said.
