Former subordinate urges Lacson to return to RP

Now that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is no longer the President of the Republic, it is only right for fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson to return to the country and face the charges against him, his former subordinate in the police force said Thursday. “Dapat bumalik na siya. Claim niya na ang former administration ay magpe-persecute sa kanya, so now iba ang administration, logically he must come back," Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop told reporters. (He should return. His claim was that the former administration was out to persecute him. But we now have a new administration so logically he must come back.) Acop was the deputy director for comptrollership when Lacson was the head of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Lacson, who has been hiding abroad since January this year, is facing double murder charges for the killing of publicist Salvador “Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000. He is perceived to be an ally of incumbent President Benigno Aquino III. Lacson, who has repeatedly denied involvement in the killings, said the charges were politically motivated as he is a known critic of the Arroyo administration. No communications with Lacson Acop said he hasn’t talked with Lacson for a while and doubted if the senator would contact him. “He is the most secretive officer that I’ve known. He keeps everything in his heart. Kaya gusto ko man siya makausap at ma-advise ay wala akong paraan (I have no way of communicating with him even if I want to)," he said. He said Lacson, through his staff, congratulated him when he won a congressional seat in the May 10 elections. He said Lacson’s staff were “tight-lipped" regarding the senators whereabouts. The Department of Foreign Affairs has already canceled Lacson's regular and diplomatic passports. Acop believes Lacson would eventually surrender to authorities. Senate custody OK In a separate interview, San Juan Rep. Jose Victor Ejercito welcomed the plan of the Senate to ask for Lacson’s custody. “Kung ano mang paraan na bumalik siya and return to the fold of the law, that is welcome. Kahit na house arrest or Senate custody basta bumalik siya. He should face the music and come out kasi kapag umiiwas ka sa mga ganyan parang mayroon kang guilt," he said. (Everything, be it house arrest or Senate custody, that will make Lacson return to the fold of the law is welcome. He should face the music because hiding could mean guilt.) Ejercito is the son of former President Joseph Estrada, whom Lacson linked to the Dacer-Corbito killings. Estrada had likewise denied involvement in the 10-year-old crime. - KBK, GMANews.TV