NBI still can’t find Mancao, but...

MANILA, Philippines - National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Nonnatus Caesar Rojas admitted yesterday that bureau agents are having a hard time tracking down fugitive former police officer Cezar Mancao II but they are doing their best to recapture him. 

“All people who are helping him or hiding him could be liable for criminal prosecution. Right now, part of the investigation on his escape includes the possibility that people who might have been involved in whatever way will be charged,” he said.

Rojas said Mancao is also likely armed and dangerous.

“It’s a presumption usually taken by law enforcement agencies in pursuing fugitives from justice. Knowing that he was with the intelligence and law enforcement before, we have to assume that he is armed and dangerous for the safety of our operatives who are pursuing him,” Rojas told The STAR.

He added that the bureau is also investigating all possibilities that Mancao was assisted by some people in the NBI, a theory that surfaced early on when the former police officer escaped from the bureau’s detention cell at dawn last Thursday.

Initial charges of negligence were filed against NBI jail guards Ibrahim Musa and Pablo Remalante who were on duty and were responsible for the escape of Mancao.

“But our investigation, in addition to our operatives looking for Mancao, are also investigating the surrounding circumstances on how Mancao was able to get out of prison. If there are other people, or other employees that may be involved in this incident – although I’m not saying that there are – then we will file charges against them,” he said.

Mancao said on Sunday that he will not be recaptured and all efforts to locate him would not succeed. He said he is constantly moving and has been monitoring the situation from the “inside,” insinuating that he has an asset informing him of government moves to recapture him.

Rojas, however, said that they are not looking at media who have access to Mancao and have been interviewing him because “we cannot compel journalists to divulge their sources because we know the legal parameters.”

“There is, however, also nothing in the law that prohibits journalists and reporters to help government because of your commitment in the solution of certain problems, to go after criminals,” he said.

Malacañang officials earlier said that it would be up to reporters if they want to help authorities track down Mancao.

“I think there are journalistic ethics, isn’t it? I leave that with the journalists if they are willing to share information on that. But I don’t know if there are any rules that journalists are bound to observe. But certainly, we would like to have that information as part of assistance to us, to let us know his whereabouts. But again, journalists are bound by certain rules and I don’t know if they are willing to disclose,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

Rojas said the various NBI units are continuing the manhunt for the fugitive, “even if there are a lot of other things to do.”

“I cannot of course divulge the extent of our operations, but what I’m saying in all honesty is that a lot of people are involved in this work because we know that this is very important to us. We can take him back or he can voluntarily surrender. But the bottom line is we have to get him back,” he said. – With Jose Rodel Clapano