Mancao has until today to surrender—De Lima

Cezar Mancao. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Former Police Superintendent Cesar Mancao has until today, Thursday, to surrender before an “intensified manhunt” is launched, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said Thursday.

Mancao, an accused in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case escaped from the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation at 1:12 a.m. Thursday.

De Lima said she called up Mancao and he apologized for his action.

“He was repeatedly saying sorry. He said he had no choice, his life is in danger,” she said.

Mancao was set to be transferred to the Manila City Jail Thursday morning on orders of the Manila City Regional Trial Court Branch 18.

De Lima said she offered to personally meet him to ensure his safety.

“I told him I would personally fetch you if you feel you are not safe. He’s asking for a few days but I said he only has until the end of the day otherwise we would launch an intensified manhunt,” De Lima said.

In 2011, the Court of Appeals dismissed the case against Senator Panfilo Lacson, accused of involvement in the killing of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000, citing inconsistencies in the testimony of Mancao.

“Under oath, he contradicted himself on material points. Inconsistencies and material contradiction affect the credibility of Cesar Mancao and the veracity of his statements,” said the Court of Appeals.

After that, lawyers of his co-accused asked the Manila court to order Mancao’s transfer to the city jail where his co-accused are detained.