Jack Enrile: Demolition job is to derail my plan to expose a gov’t project

(Following is the full statement of Rep. Jack Enrile on his alleged involvement in the 1975 death of Ernest Lucas Jr.)

First and foremost, I’d like to state categorically that I had nothing to do with the incident in 1975 wherein Ernest Lucas Jr. was killed. This matter was investigated by police authorities. Charges were filed, the case was properly heard in courts, and the suspect was tried and later sentenced to 12 years in prison which he served.

My father who was then defense minister offered to resign his position in order to avoid suspicions of pressure or influence on those who had jurisdiction over the case. When his offer was turned down, he went on official leave and left for Japan until the investigation was concluded.

The statements of the late former US Ambassador to the Philippines linking me to the killing were based on mere speculation and hearsay as the WikiLeaks report itself will bear this out. He was, at that time, known to be against the administration, and that incident provided him an opportunity to embarrass the Marcos administration and cast a high government official and his son in a negative light with Washington.

All documents submitted to the court prove the falsity of the allegations that were based on rumors.

That this is being resurrected and circulated at this time when I am running for senator is highly suspect. Some well-meaning friends have suggested that I file appropriate cases against those who are using that incident to harass me. But I would rather not be distracted as my conscience is clear and my mind is set on pursuing my advocacies for food security and fair prices for the consuming public to help our people and our country.

There are also reports that this demolition job is being done in order to derail my plan to look into and expose a government project that is highly questionable and grossly disadvantageous to the public.

It will no longer be surprising, therefore, if some other fabrications and vicious stories are hurled against me and my teammates in the course of this campaign.

However, I deeply regret the fact that such moves have had a serious effect on my father’s health. At 89 years of age, he is suffering from severe hypertension and serious vision impairment. I feel for my ailing father who has been agonizing in silence, seeing me suffer all these unfair attacks as a result of old and deep-seated grudges against him. My old man does not deserve all these. He has served this country well.

But I refuse to be intimidated. I will not be stopped.