NBI: No special jail cell for Lacson

MANILA, Philippines - Once arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation, Sen. Panfilo Lacson will be detained together with common criminals, NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula said yesterday.

Gatdula said contrary to the air-conditioned room where his former subordinates at the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) were detained, Lacson will be placed in the detention cell for ordinary criminals arrested by the bureau.

“No special treatment will be given to Lacson,” he said.

Gatdula denied reports that a special jail is being built for Lacson at the fifth floor of the main building of the NBI compound.

Even though Lacson is a senator, he said the NBI will not provide the lawmaker any special treatment or any “special detention cell.”

Gatdula said they will follow the orders of President Aquino for all government agencies to implement a “level playing field” and to “give justice for all.”

He said the holding room used to detain former police senior superintendent Cezar Mancao and former police superintendent Glenn Dumlao was already converted into an office to be used by NBI personnel.

Gatdula, together with Mancao and Dumlao, were former subordinates of Lacson at the PAOCTF. Mancao and Dumlao are being used as government witnesses against Lacson in the November 2000 murders of publicist Salvador Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito.

In fleeing the country, Lacson said he was being politically persecuted by the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Lacson was last seen in Rome, Italy, several months ago, based on the intelligence reports by the NBI. An Interpol Red Notice was issued against Lacson.

Gatdula’s appointment as NBI chief was controversial because of his links with Lacson.

Meanwhile, Gatdula said the NBI will also investigate how television reporter Lynda Jumilla managed to receive a text message supposedly from Lacson, wherein the senator reportedly said he is not keen on surrendering.

 “We are not harassing her. We are inviting her to shed light and give us information. The NBI will never be used as an arm for persecution. This is an investigative agency,” Gatdula said.