Senator Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Panfilo Lacson heaved a sigh of relief on Wednesday after the Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal of the multiple murder charges filed against him in connection with the “Kuratong Baleleng” rubout case.
Lacson said in a text message that he was “happy and relieved, not just for myself but for all men in the defunct Task Force Habagat and the other units involved in that operation including former Senior Superintendent Mancao.”
The senator was referring to Cezar Mancao. Both Lacson and Mancao were also accused of the killing of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and driver, Emmanuel Corbito in 2000, which also dismissed by the court.
The decision of the Supreme Court upheld the ruling of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 81, absolving Lacson of any criminal liability over the death while in police custody of 11 suspected members of the crime gang Kuratong Baleleng on May 18, 1995.