'Drop suspect in Dacer case'

MANILA, Philippines - A lawyer for former police officer Cezar Mancao has asked a Manila court to drop one of the suspects in the 2000 Dacer-Corbito case since he may have been a victim of mistaken identity.

In a manifestation filed last Friday with Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Myra Garcia-Fernandez, Ferdinand Topacio said there is a dearth of documentary evidence against Police Officer 2 Thomas Sarmiento in connection with the double murder case. Mancao is a principal suspect in the case.

Earlier, Alex Avisado – a counsel for Sarmiento – filed a manifestation and motion seeking the immediate dismissal of charges against his client, citing the failure of principal suspect and former police officer Glenn Dumlao to identify him.   – Sandy Araneta