Estrada Denies Connections with Lacson
Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada keeps distance from his former ally Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who has left the Philippines on January 5 to avoid “harassment from the Arroyo administration.”
Estrada said Lacson is no longer under him. Estrada also said Lacson can handle himself since he is now a senator. The senator is being accused of being involved with the Dacer-Corbito murder case.
Publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito were kidnapped and killed in November 2000.
Lacson used to head the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force and the Philippine National Police during Estrada’s administration. They used to be allies.
The Department of Justice filed kidnapping and murder charges against the senator on January 7.
These charges were based on witness and Lacson’s former aide Cezar Mancao II’s statement that he had heard Lacson order the killing of Dacer under the instruction of a certain “Bigote”.
Lacson fled to Hong Kong to evade arrest.
Lacson has repeatedly denied being involved with the case and has pointed his fingers at Estrada. The latter also denied the accusations.
Lacson said he left the country not because he is guilty, but because he cannot risk putting his life at an evil conspiracy.
No related posts.