Latest intelligence reports reaching family and friends of the missing public relations practitioner indicated that his abductors were simply after the documents contained in his briefcase, which he was carrying on the way to his office at the Manila Hotel on Nov. 24.
Former National Security Adviser Jose Almonte was positive his good friend was still alive.
"Salamat sa Diyos at buhay siya (Thank God, he is alive)," Almonte said in a television talk show where he was a guest.
The former security chief, a regular client of Dacer, did not elaborate. He merely pointed out that the good news has been relayed to the family of the missing publicist.
When reached for comment yesterday, one of Dacer’s daughters confirmed that they have already been told of the latest information.
Ampy Dacer-Henson said, however, that they have been receiving numerous bits of information daily on the fate of their father.
Still, the entire family is hoping that the latest information is true, she added.
Edwin Fargas, spokesman for the Dacer family, welcomed the positive development.
"We really hope that the report is true," Fargas said in a telephone interview.
Witnesses claimed Dacer and his driver Manuel Corbito were snatched at the intersection of Osmeña Highway and Zobel Roxas street on the boundary of Manila and Makati. Dacer was on his way to his Manila Hotel office for a lunch meeting with former President Fidel Ramos, a friend and client.
Earlier intelligence reports alleged that the abductors were after a briefcase that contained vital documents that could be damaging to President Estrada, who is under trial for bribery and corruption.
So far, investigators have come up empty in the search for Dacer and his aide. They have recovered four bodies and are awaiting lab test results to determine if they belong to the missing men.