Why Ping fled

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Where is Senator Ping Lacson? The National Bureau of Investigation and, undoubtedly, also the Philippine National Police are scouring the country for him but, so far, have not pinpointed any place where he may be keeping himself. Early reports that he had gone to Australia have turned out to be bum steers, and only the fact that he had left for Hongkong on January 5 could be ascertained.

Lacson, one of the country’s foremost crimefighters in his day, has been accused of masterminding the murder of public relations man Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Manuel Corbito. The bodies of the two were found burned beyond recognition after they were reportedly abducted by armed men in Metro Manila.

The murder remained unsolved for nine years, but police and intelligence authorities got a break when two former aides of Lacson, who had fled to the United States, and were later jailed there for some violations, began to sing about the case and, in effect, pointed to Lacson as the mastermind of the killing.

As his lawyer now says, there is still a chance that the arrest warrant that was issued against the senator could be revoked, citing the testimonies of the alleged witnesses against him, who seemed to be vacillating.

But Lacson, who reportedly fled because the believed he would not get a fair trial under this administration and the present justice system, has opted to keep away.

Now the NBI has called on the International Criminal Police Organization for help in locating Lacson. But this is feared to be easier said than done, since Ping Lacson had himself been head of the Interpol in Manila when he was still head of the Philippine National Police. As such, he should know a few tricks about how that agency conducts its business.

Ping Lacson may have reason to believe that he will not get justice while in this country. But, the fact that his first reaction was to flee does not speak very well of him, and the lawmaker that he is supposed to be. As another colleague of his has said, “Flight is an evidence of guilt.” We hope that is not so in this case.*