MANILA, Philippines ? The Bureau of Immigration has placed Senator Panfilo ?Ping? Lacson under its watchlist immediately after a case was filed against him for the killings of publicist Salvador ?Bubby? Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito, Commissioner Marcelino Libanan disclosed.

But Libanan also said that Lacson left the country last January 5, two days before the case was filed against him by the Department of Justice.

?Umalis po si Senator Lacson sa atin noong January 5, 7:30 via CH 904 papuntang Hong Kong. Hindi pa siya bumalik [Senator Lacson left the country last January 5 via CH 904 to Hong Kong. He has not returned],? Libanan told reporters in a chance interview in the Senate Tuesday.

?Hanggang Hong Kong lang po ang record naming [Our record is only until Hong Kong],? he further said.

Libanan said Lacson was placed under the Immigration?s watchlist on the DoJ?s request.

?When the DoJ investigates, it requests for a watchlist from us. If the person is on the watchlist, we notify the departure or arrival of that individual,? Libanan said in Filipino.

Lacson has been absent from the Senate since the resumption of sessions last January 18.