PHILIPPINES CATHOLIC'S ARCHBISHOP DEFENDS FUGITIVE SENATOR?

Panfilo Lacson. Philippine senator charged with murder

MANILA, Philippines - The former head of the influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has come out in support of senator Panfilo Lacson, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued in a murder case.
Archbishop Oscar Cruz, currently head of the diocese of Pangasinan in Central Luzon, admitted he knew in advance about the opposition senator's plans to leave the country in January but termed the latter's decision to flee the country "justifiable".

• "It was not due to his double murder charges but to avoid being a victim of evil conspiracy. He is not a coward. He just does not stand a chance, and would have difficulty in getting a just trial," Cruz, who gained popularity for taking unpopular stands on issues, was quoted as saying on the CBCP website.
• Cruz said he personally knew Lacson and had met him three days before his departure last month. "I knew Lacson was leaving. We met two or three days before he left [the country] but I don't know where he was going," he said.
• The prelate said he believes Lacson has nothing to do with the slaying of publicist Salvador ‘Bubby' Dacer and Emmanuel Corbito, his driver, in November 2000.
• Lacson is being accused of complicity in the murder of Dacer and Corbito, a charge which is being backed up by a testimony given early last year by a former subordinate, ex-police officer Cesar Mancao III.
• Reports said Lacson flew to Hong Kong on January 5 and subsequently proceeded to Australia. Australian immigration authorities, however, deny that Lacson is in their country.
• Lacson had been the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Manila regional trial court judge Myra Garcia Fernandez on Thursday. The court wants the senator to testify in court and provide information on the circumstances of Dacer and Corbito's abduction.
• Cruz maintained he was not in touch with Lacson since the latter fled the country. "He would only contact me when there is a major issue," he said.
• Reports said Lacson could be arrested in any of the 188 member countries that are members of the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) on the basis of an alert issued by Philippine authorities, for his arrest.

Source: Gulf News