MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has created an elite team to track down fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who ordered the formation of the team last week, said it is composed purely of agents of the NBI.
The team would also serve the warrant of arrest.
She said the team is now closing in on Lacson, tagged in the November 2000 Dacer-Corbito double murder case.
“I gave them (elite team) a little bit more time. Then we can think of options to step up the pressure (on Lacson),” De Lima said. “My instructions to the elite team is for them to personally report to me the developments of that (Lacson) mission.”
The NBI also continues to coordinate with the Interpol, which has kept Lacson on its Red Notice List.
The NBI also continues to coordinate with Philippine embassies worldwide despite intelligence reports that Lacson is already in the country.
“But right now, the focus is here (in the Philippines). But since the passport (of Lacson) was cancelled, we haven’t heard anything from them (embassies),” De Lima said. “And based also on the most recent intelligence reports, he (Lacson) is here.”
She claimed having received information about Lacson’s whereabouts but declined to divulge it.
Lacson was charged with two counts of murder for the slaying of publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000.
Lacson may be sentenced to a maximum of life imprisonment under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code if found guilty.
Lacson has strongly denied the charges against him.
Based on immigration records gathered by the NBI, Lacson left the country on Jan. 5, 2010.
Then Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 judge Myra Fernandez issued last Feb. 4 an arrest warrant for Lacson. No bail was recommended.
The newly formed team would focus on locating Lacson in the country. Being on the Interpol Red Notice List, however, he can be arrested in more than 180 member-countries of the Interpol and turned over to Philippine law enforcers.
It was earlier reported that Lacson was hiding in Cebu, Palawan and Batangas, and was being coddled by a sardines magnate. The NBI, however, declined to comment on this.
The murder charges against Lacson were based on the affidavit of his former subordinate, police senior superintendent Cezar Mancao II, at the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF).
The court also gave credence to the physical evidence gathered from the crime scene and affidavits of other witnesses.
Sandy Araneta, Philippine Star
