Mancao: Ping masterminded killings
FORMER police Sr. Supt. Cezar Mancao II yesterday took the witness stand and implicated Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson in the murder of noted publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito about nine years ago.
The charred remains of Dacer and Corbito were found in a ravine in Indang, Cavite on Nov. 4, 2000.
Mancao, a former member of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) which was headed by then Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and now Sen. Lacson, affirmed the contents of the sworn affidavit he executed on Feb. 14, pointing to Lacson as the alleged “brains” in the double murder case.
Bothered by his conscience and to once and for all reveal all the truth about the controversial case, Mancao did not anymore oppose the extradition case filed against him by the Philippine government before the United States federal court.
Long before his extradition to the country on June 4, Mancao has expressed his intention and willingness to turn state witness in the controversial case.
The former police officer became emotional at his scheduled appearance on Wednesday before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC).
Mancao divulged everything he knew regarding the abduction and slay of the noted publicist and his driver in November 2000.
Lawyer Alex Abisado, legal counsel of the other policemen involved in the Dacer-Corbito twin slays, was moved when Mancao hugged and cried upon seeing his former colleagues.
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, legal counsel of Mancao, was also moved and surprised upon seeing his client crying unabashedly.
The appearance of Mancao before Manila RTC Branch 18 Presiding Judge Myra Garcia-Fernandez was to determine whether he should be excluded as an accused in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case and that should he be placed in the government’s witness protection program.
The DOJ has approved the coverage of Mancao under the Witness Protection Program, but this has still to be approved by the court.
The camp of the detained police suspects are set to ask for the inhibition of Fernandez for her alleged “bias” in favor of Mancao. The next hearing will be on Thursday, Aug. 13.