Beneficiaries of the witness protection program are referred to as "state witnesses". They people who express willingness to provide testimony before a court, quasi-judicial body, and investigating authorities. It mandates the
Department of Justice to provide protection to witnesses of "grave crimes". A state witness in a case is drawn among the accused.
Qualification The qualification to become a state witness are: A key qualification is that a state witness is the "least
guilty" and not a
principal of a given crime. Relatives up to the second degree of
consanguinity or
affinity are also qualified to be state witnesses as long as they face threat on their lives or bodily injury. Law enforcement agents are not qualified to become state witnesses themselves but their relatives could still qualify. People who are under the WPP as state witnesses are given housing, security escorts, as well as medical and livelihood assistance. The government provides financial aid for the burial of killed state witnesses as well as their dependent children if any. ==Protected witnesses==