Slain gov't counsel sought Lacson's help

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday slain chief government corporate counsel Jun Valerio sought police protection as early as November last year, but was turned down by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF).

NBI Director Federico Opinion said Valerio's letter-request dated Nov. 9, 1999 -- indicating there were threats to his life -- was denied for failure to comply with the requirements.

But a PAOCTF officer in Camp Crame claimed Valerio's request did not reach their office.

The source told The STAR the letter-request was coursed through the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission headed by no less than President Estrada, and was received by Secretary Ronaldo Ramirez.

It was also noted that the letter was sent in only last December, indicating that Valerio was of two minds about sending the letter.

The PAOCTF is headed by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Panfilo Lacson in a concurrent capacity.

Meanwhile, the President designated the NBI as the lead agency in the investigation of Valerio's murder.

The 44-year-old victim was gunned down in front of his house in Barangay Piñahan, Quezon City early Saturday. He was the highest government official to be assassinated under the Estrada administration.

Opinion said the probe, to be conducted by the NBI field operations division, goes back to square one as his agents will set aside the investigation conducted by the Central Police District.

Also yesterday, the NBI released cartographic sketches based on witnesses' descriptions of the three suspects in the slaying.

Opinion viewed the Valerio murder as more controversial than the suicide of Judge Martin Ocampo of Cebu last year.

Lacson said earlier they were eyeing the possible involvement of some officials or employees of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) in the Valerio killing. However, he refused to elaborate.

Police investigators believed that the assassination was the handiwork of professional hitmen.

Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora said the President wanted Valerio's case solved immediately, adding the probers already have a lead.

Valerio was shot at close range in the chest and back after he alighted from his car. He died on the way to the hospital.

PNP ballistic experts in Camp Crame have examined two slugs taken from the victim's body, but said the bullets were so badly deformed it was difficult to immediately tell what type of firearm was used.

"The two slugs are badly deformed, but based on our initial examination, they could have been fired from a caliber .38 revolver or a 9-mm. pistol," said PNP Crime Laboratory Service director Chief Superintendent Hercules Cataluña.

The police have also started looking into hundreds of cases handled by Valerio. The OGCC, an agency under the umbrella of the justice department, takes care of corporate and labor cases involving government-owned or controlled corporations.