Mancao family worried about his return

MANILA, Philippines - The family of former police Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II are happy and yet worried over his scheduled return to the country on Thursday. In a report by GMA News' Rawnna Crisostomo aired over “24 Oras" on Wednesday, Mancao’s older sister, Glossary Bautista, said she fears for her brother’s safety because of his role in the reinvestigation of the Dacer-Corbito case. “Marami naman talagang ideas na maaring mangyari, kaya nagdadasal talaga kami ng taimtim… pero nasa isip namin kung anong mangyari sa kanya [So many things could happen to him, that’s why despite our prayers we are still worried over his safety]," she said. Mancao, a former member of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, was implicated in the killing of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000. He fled to the United States at the height of the investigation the next year. Mancao, upon his return, is expected to reveal vital information regarding the nine-year-old case, including the alleged involvement of his superior in the PAOCTF, former Philippine National Police chief and now Senator Panfilo Lacson. For her part, Mancao’s mother, Reynalda, said that although she’s excited over her son’s return to the country, she’s also unhappy about the issues being hurled against him. Mrs. Mancao said her son is innocent of the crime. "Alam ko talaga ugali niyan. Mabait yan kahit maliit pa yan [I know him. He’s kind even as a kid]." Bautista said she last heard from Lacson, who she said used to communicate with them regularly, last February. She said the senator wanted to talk to Mancao but they were not able to him any information because even they are having a hard time contacting the former police official. Meanwhile, Mancao’s US-based wife, Maricar, said her husband is already prepared to divulge what he knows about the Dacer-Corbito case. "Talagang napakahirap. Walong taon na ho ito. Abnormal na abnormal ang buhay namin dito kaya gusto na lang namin matapos [It’s been eight years. Our life is not normal here in the United States. What we wanted was to end this and] once and for all start a new life," she said in a phone interview with GMA News. Maricar added that her husband’s decision was part of his bid to let the wheels of justice roll for the Dacer family. Maricar, who is staying in Florida, said she is set to arrive in the country with her kids next week. - GMANews.TV