Lacson lawyers given 15 days to comment on Mancao's custody motion

MANILA, Philippines - Defense lawyers of fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson and his co-accused, in the November 2000 double-murder of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito, were given yesterday by the Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina 15 days to comment on the appeal of Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II that he be transferred custody from the National Bureau of Investigation to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Poblador Bautista & Reyes, counsel for Lacson; Fortun Narvasa & Salazar, counsel for Michael Ray Aquino and Jovencio Malabanan, Lacson’s co-accused; and lawyers Dante David and E.O. Gana and Associates, counsels for the other co-accused of Lacson were directed to comment on Mancao’s motion.

In seeking for Mancao’s transfer to the PNP- Police Security and Protection Group, Senior State Prosecutor Phillip Kimpo cited the former’s safety and security. In order to ensure the safety and security of said state witness and/or his family, it is imperative that his custody be transferred to the PNP-PSPG, read the motion which was also signed by state prosecutors Hazel Decena-Valdez, Bernard Fernandez, Arturo Roxas and John Benedict Medina.

In a three-page motion, government lawyers said Mancao has testified as prosecution witness on July 22, 2009, Aug. 26, 2009, Sept. 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2009 since he has turned state witness. They also said they have filed the corresponding motion for Mancao’s discharge as an accused.

He also applied for coverage under the Witness Protection Program and has been admitted under it, the prosecutors said in their “Motion to Transfer Custody of Accused Cezar Mancao II.

Since he was extradited to the country from the United States in June 2009, government prosecutors said Mancao has been placed under the protective custody of the NBI and recently when some issues relating to his custody cropped up.

“To address this issue, the prosecution respectfully implores upon the Honorable Court to transfer accused Mancao to the protective custody of the Police Security and Protection Group,” prosecutors said.

They cited RA 6981 (Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Law), particularly Section 2 wherein the Department of Justice as the implementor of the Witness Protection Program through the Justice Secretary may call upon any department, bureau, office, or any other executive agency to assist in the implementation of the program.

Lacson was PNP director and head of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force when NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula served as the PAOCTF operations chief.

Mancao has expressed doubts on Gatdula’s sincerity to arrest Lacson and uneasiness at the NBI’s custody. However, Ruel Lasala took the cudgels for Gatdula, describing as “unfounded and baseless” the speculations of Mancao. Gatdula, who repeatedly vowed not to afford special treatment to Lacson, said he is merely performing his mandate.