Rosebud fears whitewash in Campos probe

Mary "Rosebud" Ong, former live-in partner of slain Superintendent John Campos, expressed yesterday fears of a whitewash in his murder, and appealed to President Arroyo to direct the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) to join the investigation.

Meanwhile, a senior police official expressed belief that the killing of Campos could be part of a larger destabilization plot against the Arroyo administration.

In an interview with The STAR, Ong also expressed fears for some people who had been helping her and Campos map out plans to block Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s presidential ambition by spilling the beans on him.

"He (Campos) had been talking with someone to arrange how the government can help him once he revealed all he knew about Lacson," Ong said, adding that her former lover was aware that his exposé would be a "heroic act."

Ong also claimed that Campos’ killers initially executed what she called "Plan A" which was to kill her, but failed.

She said she got wind of the murder plot against her through a "mole" in Lacson’s camp.

Ong and Campos lived together for four years until their breakup two years ago.

She said before they parted ways, Campos ran afoul with the law and got involved in the drug trade, allegedly through his association with Lacson.

Ong charged that only Lacson has something to gain from Campos’ death.

Asked if she has evidence linking the senator to Thursday’s gunslaying of Campos, Ong hinted that it was up to the police to discover the evidence.

"It is up to the PNP (Philippine National Police) to dig up evidence to establish collusion (to assassinate Campos)," she said.

She lamented that the PNP has been "over-confident" in handling the peace and order situation in the country.

She also called on some people to whom Campos confided about the threats to his life to come out and testify.

She revealed that there was also an attempt on her life last Oct. 21 right inside a military safe house where she and her family have been staying.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco dared Ong to present evidence and submit a sworn statement pertaining her accusations against Lacson.

A lone gunman shot Campos at close range from behind with an Armalite rifle at about 2 a.m. while the victim was having a snack, along with a companion, at a 24-hour eatery in Parañaque City the other day.

He died on the spot due to three gunshot wounds including one in the head.

A waitress, identified as Emily Dumlao, 29, was also killed in the attack.

The 36-year-old Campos was pronounced dead on arrival at the South Superhighway Hospital in Parañaque, while Dumlao, who was hit by a bullet in the abdomen, died while being treated in the same hospital.

Chief Superintendent Eduardo Matillano, head of the PNP’s criminal investigation and detection group, noted that there were similarities in the murders of Campos and Baron Cervantes, self-styled spokesman for the military rightist group Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM). – Ding Cervantes, Christina Mendez, Nikko Dizon