Remembering “Sir PD”

Statement of the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists (FFFJ)
on the first death anniversary of Senior State Prosecutor Leo B. Dacera

“A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”

~Mark Twain

Today is the first death anniversary of Leo B. Dacera III.

The longest serving director of the Department of Justice Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Program (DOJ WPSBP), he was fondly called “Sir PD,” PD being shorthand for Program Director.

As PD, Atty. Dacera directed the operations of the DOJ WPSBP with knowledge and insight. With a clear understanding of the Philippine criminal justice system, he believed that the program should go beyond keeping witnesses physically safe.  In his view, witness protection was not only about securing witnesses so they can testify in court. He understood their needs. They were persons who had also lost their lives, and had been cut off from loved ones, and from family and community.

Aware of how protracted Philippine criminal proceedings can be, Leo Dacera strove to sustain witnesses’ determination to testify in court and, if necessary, to speak the truth to power, to stand against the powers-that-be, and those they wished to protect. To these witnesses, “Sir PD” was a tireless advocate, keeping up their morale, doing what he could to keep them in touch with their families and loved ones.  Leo Dacera did what he could  to strengthen witnesses’ trust in the criminal justice system; and to  encourage them to believe, as he did, that there would be, at the end of it all, justice and truth.

Working with inadequate funds, Leo Dacera was never discouraged. In the cases of extrajudicial killings including media killings, he coordinated with advocacy groups and was humble in his acceptance of such aid as livelihood assistance for the victims’ widows,  or educational grants for the children of slain journalists. He worked tirelessly to get more budgetary support and looked forward to being able to provide more for the needs of the witnesses in his care.

No task was too small for his attention. From petitioning for the change of venue of trials to places where there would be a greater chance for a just and fair hearing, or quickly spiriting a threatened witness to a more secure safe house; from guaranteeing the presence of witnesses at hearings, to looking after the welfare of their kin: to each task, he gave as much time, knowledge and energy, tirelessly coordinating his efforts with other officials, and with media advocacy and journalists’ groups.

As a public official and prosecutor, he was among that rare breed that shunned the limelight; he did not seek credit for his work and accomplishments. His integrity, dedication and compassion set him apart – and it was something one sensed immediately:  that one had found a special person and ally in the fight against impunity.

Leo Dacera was instrumental in the convictions for murder of the three men involved in the killing of Sultan Kudarat journalist Marlene Esperat.  He was also the head of the prosecution panel that made possible the inquest of Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan, Jr., one of the principal accused in the Ampatuan town  (Maguindanao) massacre.

He gave selflessly and thus lived fully. When he succumbed to a heart attack in the early morning of November 4, 2010, we in the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, Inc. lost an esteemed colleague and a cherished friend, whose generous spirit had given us so much strength.

In his memory, we pledge to continue the work to which he had given his life.

“To live in hearts we leave behind

Is not to die.”

~Thomas Campbell,

“Hallowed Ground”