NBI starts serving arrest warrant vs Lacson

Hours after a Manila court issued a warrant of arrest against Senator Panfilo Lacson, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) went to the opposition senator's office in Pasay City even though they knew their subject wasn't there. The three-man NBI team, led by lawyer Ric Diaz, who heads the agency's anti-terrorism division, arrived 3:10 p.m. and left about 20 minutes later. They looked for Lacson in his office, the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), and even in the Office of the Senate President. A staff member of the OSAA received a copy of the arrest warrant while a female janitor received a copy of the same at the office of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. No one answered the door at Lacson's office. Friday is a no work day in the Senate. Arrest part of standard procedure Diaz said serving the warrant in Lacson's 'known residences and offices' is a standard operating procedure as part of evidence to show that the lawmaker is out of the country. The agency needs to do it for extradition purposes, he said. "We were informed na kailangan ito sa [this is required in the] process of extradition," Diaz told reporters, adding that the NBI is set to look for Lacson in other places. "Kapag hindi nakita saka lamang pwedeng sabihin na he is a fugitive," Diaz said. If they fail to find the senator in the country, Diaz said: "We will seek the help of our international connections such as the Interpol [International Police]." Lacson takes off after complaining about 'harassment' Lacson left for Hong Kong last month, complaining about "harassment" from the government over the double-murder case. In a statement, Lacson claimed his departure was not an indication of guilt. [See: Lacson flees RP to escape Arroyo ‘harassment’] The senator's whereabouts remain undisclosed and it is not known if he still is in Hong Kong or has left for another country. On Thursday, the NBI belied reports that the senator is already in Australia. [See: Lacson not in Australia - NBI] - Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMANews.TV