Lanot family hits slow probe

The family of murdered former Pasig City Rep. Henry Lanot scored yesterday the snail-paced investigation of the case.

Lanot’s eldest son, Ken, 32, said it has been over a month since the former lawmaker was assassinated, but the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Task Force Lanot have not reported positive developments on the case. "There are still no still clear leads in my father’s case," the younger Lanot said, noting the NBI has successfully solved other slay cases such as the murder of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Amelia Ramos and journalist Philip Agustin.

He also assailed the members of Task Force Lanot for their alleged inaction in solving the case.

"Nagtatag nga sila ng task force sa pagkamatay ng daddy ko pero hanggang sa diyaryo, TV at radyo lang naman, para may masabi na may ginagawa sila," Lanot lamented.

The family, he added, has been wondering why there have been no leads despite several law enforcement agencies handling the case.

He expressed strong belief the murder was politically motivated.

Task Force Lanot commander Chief Superintendent Oscar Valenzuela said they have been briefing Lanot’s family daily on the progress of their investigation.

Valenzuela assured family members that elements of Task Force Lanot are working 24-hours a day and has been following up leads hat might help solve the murder.

"I will not issue any statement regarding the progress of our investigation so as not to jeopardize the case," said Valenzuela, who is also the director of the Eastern Police District (EPD)." Let the result of our investigation speak for us in the future."

Lanot was having lunch with former Caloocan City Rep. Romeo Santos at the Jade Palace restaurant along Shaw Boulevard in Barangay Bagong Ilog, Pasig when he was shot dead by a lone gunman.