DOJ sees no reason to reopen probe of Dacer-Corbito murder case

MANILA – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila De Lima said on Thursday she saw no reason to order the reopening of the investigation into the Dacer-Corbito double-murder case.

This was despite the surfacing of a new sworn statement executed by former police Sr. Supt. Michael Ray Aquino which is contradicting the affidavit executed by former police Sr. Supt. Cesar Mancao II.

Both Aquino and Mancao were former officers of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF), which was headed by then Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief and now Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, during which time noted publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito were abducted and killed in Cavite in November 2000.

Lacson faces double-murder case in connection with the slayings of Dacer and Corbito.

De Lima said that she will first order the evaluation of the new affidavit because they would like to determine who was telling the truth between Mancao and Aquino.

De Lima also said that they have received an intelligence report that Lacson is frequenting in Metro Manila.

Nevertheless, De Lima said that they are still validating the veracity of the report.