Bodies of Dacer, driver found in Cavite?

Investigators are looking into the possibility that the charred remains of two persons retrieved yesterday morning from a burnt Toyota Revo van in Dasmariñas, Cavite were those of kidnapped publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito.

Dr. Antonio Vertido, chief medico-legal officer of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), said they were trying to match the dentures of the victims with those of Dacer and Corbito.

Local residents told police probers they initially heard gunshots, followed by two loud explosions at about 4 a.m.

Barangay tanod Lorenzo Alvaran said when he went out to check on the explosions, he saw the vehicle, with license plates WHK 379, already engulfed by fire.

The incident took place at Airmen’s Village in Barangay Sampaloc 3, Dasmariñas.

The investigators also found nine golf clubs, a Rolex watch and a VIP commemorative plate marked 79SY 1st District Bulacan inside the vehicle.

Verification with the Land Transportation Office showed that the van belonged to one Marina Dizon of 1290 Tuason street in San Jose, Navotas.

The two bodies were taken to the St. Bartholomew’s Funeral Parlor in Dasmariñas.

Dacer and his driver were reportedly snatched by heavily armed men at the intersection of the South Superhighway and Zobel Roxas street near the Makati-Manila boundary on Nov. 24.

The victims were on their way to the Manila Hotel for a meeting with former President Fidel Ramos when the abductors flagged down their van, also a Toyota Revo, then herded at gunpoint to a getaway car.

Dacer’s vehicle was recovered days later in a shallow ravine in Cavite.

Meanwhile, former Philippine National Police chief Panfilo Lacson urged law enforcers to work closely for the immediate solution of the kidnapping of Dacer and Corbito.

In a statement, Lacson also urged the police and NBI probers to be "circumspect" in handling the case so that solid evidence will be the basis for nailing down the suspects.

He said the investigators should avoid committing the error of conveniently declaring the case solved by pointing an accusing finger at people on the basis of hearsay and trial by publicity.

Lacson issued the statement on the heels of reports that seven members of the elite Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force which he used to head were implicated in the Dacer case.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco clarified that the report on the seven task force operatives did not come from his office.

Wycoco said the investigations were still going on, adding that they were nearing the solution of the case. – Jaime Laude, Rene Alviar