The Philippine Online Chronicles

Although the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) continue to search for Senator Panfilo Lacson as a "fugitive," Lacson’s lawyer and spokesperson Lito Banayo said that the embattled senator went abroad not because he is guilty, but because he is seeking political asylum.

Lacson left the country for Hong Kong on January 5 and has remained out of sight since then. He left two days before charges were formally filed against him for the murders of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito back in 2000, a case Lacson has repeatedly denied being involved in.

According to Banayo, it was because Lacson felt that he won’t get a fair trial that he fled.

“Under the UN Declaration on Human Rights, Lacson can seek asylum if he feels he will not get justice in his own country due to vindictiveness and political persecution ... or if he feels his life is in danger,” Banayo said in an interview.

“Let us first clarify that Lacson is not a fugitive,” he added. “What he did was not the act of a fugitive but a strategic move, knowing how vindictive this present administration is.”

In a separate interview, lawyer Alex Poblador agreed that Lacson might have fled to seek asylum elsewhere.

"Political persecution would be a ground for applying for political asylum," he said.

According to PNP Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina however, Lacson will be served a warrant of arrest like any other criminal.

“No one is above the law,” he said. “We consider him a fugitive.”

The police is currently looking for Lacson in Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China. Some reports suggest that the former PNP chief might have already returned to the Philippines although still in hiding.

Espina said that it was better for Lacson to surface on his own in order to clear his name.

“Our appeal is for him to surrender and face the charges, so that he would be able to clear his name. If he will not face the charges then this case will always be hanging [on his head],” added NBI Director Nestor Mantaring.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites