Mancao denies seeking lawyer’s help to leave Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Fugitive former police superintendent Cezar Mancao II yesterday denied he is seeking assistance from a lawyer to process fake travel documents so he can leave the country.

Mancao called The STAR to refute Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s allegation that he is now sporting a wig in a move to leave the country in disguise.

He also reaffirmed that his photo taken inside a fast food outlet and published in The STAR last May 9 was authentic and not in any way altered.

“I’d like to let you know that I am just around and not wearing a wig. I’m not intending to leave the country nor seeking any assistance from any lawyer to secure my passport, allegedly with my two other companions as pronounced by Secretary De Lima,” he told The STAR.

Mancao said he has no plans of leaving the country.

He sent another set of his latest pictures outside the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Department of Justice offices holding a copy of The STAR to show that he is “very much around.”

He also forwarded a copy of his passport, which he said was issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs last year.

“I feel better fighting (this legal battle) outside the jail so I can act freely. Besides, I’ll be a hard target of people who are after my life,” Mancao said.

He said his lawyers are preparing a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals so he does not have to present himself, adding, “they will only review the facts and records of the case.”

“I just hope and pray that the honorable justices who will handle my case will decide fairly and that good judgment will come out,” he said.

De Lima said Mancao’s intention to sneak out of the country illegally is possible, that’s why she decided to reveal the intelligence report from the NBI as a sort of preemptive move “because we might be humiliated again if he succeeds.”

The justice secretary warned that charges could be filed against the lawyer aiding Mancao.

“That lawyer should know that Mr. Mancao is a fugitive and anyone who would aid, abet or facilitate the escape or attempted flight of Mr. Mancao can be charged with obstruction of justice,” she said.

De Lima stressed it would be impossible for Mancao to secure a passport using his real name and leave the country without a disguise, “especially (since) he’s very much publicized in the media with his publicity stunts.”

Based on the NBI report, the lawyer has been working to secure a passport for Mancao for the last two weeks.

“I got the information over the weekend so I alerted the BI (Bureau of Immigration) immediately,” De Lima said.