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Amid insinuations that the government has not been doing enough to
recover escaped murder suspect Cezar Mancao II, a Palace spokesperson
on Friday assured the public that authorities are doing all they can to
recover the fugitive former police officer.
“Yes, the manhunt is underway since yesterday. [But] I don’t want [yto]
speak. I don’t want to say anything on what the government is doing as
to the manner of tracking Cezar Mancao,” presidential spokesperson Edwin
Lacierda said at a briefing.
Mancao escaped
from NBI [National Bureau of Invstigation] detention early Thursday
morning. CCTV video showed him casually walking out of the NBI compound
in Manila through an unlocked gate. Since his escape, Mancao has been freely giving media interviews.
On the day that he escaped, Mancao, detained in connection with the November 2000 twin killings of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito, was to be brought to the Manila City Jail. Mancao said he had feared for such transfer, stressing that his life could be in danger there.
Lacierda said Justice Secretary Leila De Lima is personally taking charge of Mancao’s recovery. The DOJ has supervision over the NBI.
On the day that he escaped, Mancao, detained in connection with the November 2000 twin killings of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito, was to be brought to the Manila City Jail. Mancao said he had feared for such transfer, stressing that his life could be in danger there.
Lacierda said Justice Secretary Leila De Lima is personally taking charge of Mancao’s recovery. The DOJ has supervision over the NBI.
“The situation here is that Secretary Leila de Lima even spoke to Mr.
Cezar Mancao. She’s given him a day to surrender, and since he refused
to surrender, the manhunt is ongoing. And since he’s been giving a lot
of media interviews, we expect the forces are out there and searching
for him,” Lacierda said.
At the same briefing, Lacierda assured the public that those responsible for Mancao’s escape will be held accountable.
“There was a video to show how he escaped so I think, that speaks for
itself as to who the person is responsible for his escape, and they are
being investigated, and proper sanctions will be imposed,” Lacierda
said, adding that the government treats Mancao as a fugitive.
“We are tracking him down right now, and that’s why this is not
something that we will countenance. He’s a fugitive and we will go after
him,” Lacierda said.
He stopped short of disclosing details of the recovery operations.
“We don’t comment on ongoing operations,” he said.
For her part, De Lima enjoined the public to let the investigation run its course.
“We will let the course of the investigation determine who will be held
accountable for the escape of Mr. Mancao from custody. Up to what level
the culpability will reach, we'll let the facts and the evidence that
may be gathered decide that," De Lima said in a text message to
Lacierda, which was forwarded to reporters.
Unfair
Meanwhile, Lacierda said Mancao should not be demanding to speak with
the President, as he is already receiving special treatment. Instead,
Lacierda advised him to let the courts process his case.
“It’s unfair for Cesar Mancao to ask the President to be fair. First of
all, the case is before the courts, and we respect the independence of
the courts. As to fair treatment, Secretary Mar Roxas has already said
that he’s getting special treatment; he’s not being placed in the same
cell as the others,” Lacierda said. — RSJ, GMA News.
