Mancao to testify against ‘bigote’, ‘71′

MANILA- Latest newspaper reports said extradited former police superintendent Cezar Mancao is ready to testify against a certain “bigote” and “71″ in connection with the murder of publicist Salvador ”Bubby” Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.

The media said “bigote” appears to refer to former President Joseph Estrada and “71″ to Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy in 1971. This came as Sen. Lacson announced he was bowing out of the presidential race in 2010 allegedly for lack of funds. But sources said he is now busy preparing for his defense in the Dacer case.

State Prosecutor Hazel Valdez who is handling the preliminary investigation of the case and Department of Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor visited Mancao who is detained at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters a day after his arrival from the US.

Lacson, who was the boss of Mancao, Glenn Dumlao and Michael Ray Aquino who are both still in the US, is facing a complaint for double murder, filed by Emily Dacer-Hungerson, Sabina Dacer-Reyes, Carina Lim-Dacer, and Ambaro Dacer.

The Philippines is also seeking the extradition of Dumlao and Aquino. Aquino is currently serving a jail term in the US for espionage.

A report by Joseph G. Lariosa in Chicago June 7 says Mancao is asking for his reinstatement in the Philippine National Police in exchange of his testimony in the Dacer case.

Members of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) show their support for Mancao. The members believe that Mancao is the key to pinning the mastermind in the killing of Dacer and Corbito.
Mancao reunited with members of his family who were waiting for him at the NBI when he arrived on a bullet-proof van. His mother Reynalda, sisters Ma. Glosary Mancao-Bautista, Engineer Estrellita Valera and Dr. Faith Mancao-Lim, and niece Gretchel Wong arrived from Davao. They brought spaghetti, pomelo, and durian, few of the favorite foods of Mancao whom they have not seen for eight years.
His family was allowed to stay with him overnight. NBI Director Nestor Mantaring said only his family and counsel will be allowed to visit him.
Cellular phones and laptop computer are prohibited.

Mancao will stay in one office inside the NBI compound. His quarter is fully furnished with air condition, bed, refrigerator, television set, comfort room, and receiving area. But the windows in his room will be closed for security reasons.

More than 200 NBI security personnel were deployed along the route from the airport to ensure Mancao’s safety.

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