PNS — THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday remained tight-lipped over reports that Sen. Panfilo Lacson, tagged as one of the masterminds in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case, is now under government custody.
Raw information revealed that Lacson is already in the custody of resigned Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita. The NBI, however, refused to comment, saying Lacson is still “somewhere outside of the country.”
“If that report is true, then we will accept him. It is good because the task to locate and arrest him will be over,” Atty. Claro de Castro Jr., NBI Interpol Division, said.
For his part, NBI Assistant Director Pedro E. Bulaong and Deputy Director for Intelligence lawyer Ruel Lasala said they have yet to receive a report about the senator’s plan to surrender to the NBI.
Lasala also noted that it would be hard for the senator to get back to the Philippines unnoticed and said going back to the country via backdoors is risky.
“It is risky because of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG),” said Lasala.
Asked on the possibility that he managed to go back to the Philippines via private airplane, Lasala said it would be still detected through Air Transportation Office (ATO).
Bulaong said the bureau has yet to receive official and verify information about the senator’s plan to surrender.
“I have nothing to say. NBI Director Nestor M. Mantaring is the right person to answer such media report,” he said.
Earlier, the NBI denied reports that Lacson is staying in his ancestral home in Cavite and plans to surrender to the bureau anytime.
However, the government did not confirm the report.
Lacson is now the subject of an arrest warrant for the alleged murder of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.