The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday said it has no knowledge of the current whereabouts or condition of retired Marine TSgt. Orly Guteza, according to Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon during the seventh Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on November 14.
“[The] Department of Justice would not be in any position to ascertain to whereabouts of Mr. Guteza,” Fadullon stated.
He clarified that while Guteza previously testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, the DOJ has had no contact with him since then.
“As far as we know, he did testify here in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee but the Department of Justice never had any interaction with him after that particular testimony,” he said.
Fadullon also noted there was no effort from Guteza or his representatives to seek inclusion in the DOJ’s Witness Protection Program.
“There was no representation made as to his interest in being covered in the program or being granted any protection,” he explained.
“We know for a fact that the intervention by the witness protection program is something which is done voluntarily by the one who is making the application.”
He emphasized that the DOJ has had no interaction with Guteza since his Senate appearance.
“As much there were no applications made, we have not had, since the time of his testimony here before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, any interaction with Mister Guteza,” Fadullon added.
“So we would not in any position to say where he is right now or what is his condition,” he stressed.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who chairs the committee, said they sent an invitation to Guteza at the address listed on his driver’s license and sought help from Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta, but the senator also had no contact with the witness.