BUTUAN CITY – The provincial government of Dinagat Islands mourned the death of the province's former congressman and leader of the Philippine Benevolent Missionary Association (PBMA) Ruben Ecleo Jr.
Ecleo died at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Hospital in Muntinlupa City at about noon on Thursday due to cardiopulmonary arrest, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said in a statement.
“Pagmamahal at pakikiramay sa pamilya at nagmamahal sa dating kasamahan sa Kongreso... Dinagat Islands Representative Ruben Ecleo Jr. (Love and condolences to the family and loved ones of a former colleague in Congress – Dinagat Islands Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr.),” Governor Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao said in a Facebook post.
In a separate statement, the Dinagat Islands Provincial Information Office described Ecleo as "son, father, brother, leader, Dinagatnon."
The office of Dinagat Island Lone District Rep. Alan 1 B. Ecleo, brother of Ruben, also announced the death of the controversial cult leader.
“With a heavy heart we regret to announce the passing away of our beloved Ruben ‘Master Bobong’ Ecleo Jr.,” the statement read.
Local officials also expressed sympathy to the family of Ecleo in their social media posts.
Ecleo was convicted of graft in 2006 and was sentenced to life imprisonment in the same year for the killing of his wife in 2002.
He went into hiding until his arrest in Pampanga in July 2020 and was sent to the NBP in August that year. (PNA)
