MANILA, 8 October 2003 — Opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who plans to challenge President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in next May’s election, faces arrest after the Supreme Court yesterday ordered his trial on multiple murder charges over the alleged summary executions of 11 suspected bank robbers eight years ago.
The ruling ended years of legal dispute over whether Sen. Panfilo Lacson — a former national police chief — and his co-accused should be indicted for the May 18, 1995, killings.
The murder cases stem from the execution-style killings of 11 suspected members of the “Kuratong Baleleng” gang which was blamed for a series of bank robberies and kidnappings in Manila.
Police said the 11 suspected members of the “Kuratong Baleleng” gang, which was blamed for a series of bank robberies and kidnappings in Manila, died in a shootout. But three days after their deaths, one police officer publicly claimed they had been arrested and summarily executed inside a van in the Manila suburb of Quezon City.
A Senate investigation report said the victims were shot “in cold blood” while in police custody.
On April 1, the court ruled to revive the case. Lacson filed a motion for reconsideration and dismissal of the case — but yesterday’s decision denied his motion “with finality,” said court spokesman Ishmael Khan.
The Supreme Court found most of the arguments in Lacson’s petition “to be without merit.” Eight justices of the 15-member court voted against the petition, four sided with Lacson, two abstained and one was on official leave.
Khan said the tribunal ordered that a special “heinous crimes” court be chosen by lottery to try Lacson, two former police generals and one active general, along with 28 other police officers and two civilian agents who were working for the police.
Lacson’s lawyer, Sigfrid Fortun, said the Supreme Court’s decision “was not anything unexpected.”
Lacson and the others could be held without bail if arrested.
But Senate President Franklin Drilon said an arrest warrant against the opposition senator “is not an automatic consequence” of the Supreme Court’s decision.
He said the lower court must still decide whether to issue a warrant based on evidence against Lacson, which his lawyers can challenge. The Supreme Court did not set a date for the lower court’s action.
In a statement, Lacson accused President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of influencing the ruling. He said the president’s husband, Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, said in a radio interview — before the decision was announced — that the court would rule against Lacson.
“The fact that Mr. Arroyo has inside information on the ruling ... is an undeniable proof of (the presidential palace’s) hand in the High Tribunal’s decision to have me placed behind bars,” he said.
He did not address the murder allegations. Lacson has accused Arroyo’s husband of corruption and money laundering, prompting a nationally televised Senate investigation. Mike Arroyo has denied the charges and challenged Lacson to file a formal case in court.
Since late August, Lacson has made two privileged speeches in the Senate, accusing Mike Arroyo of money laundering and other corrupt activities.
President Arroyo on Sunday warned Lacson to stop making unsubstantiated charges of corruption against her husband, calling them “malicious intrigues designed to strain marital and family relations.”
Lacson has announced plans to run in May 2004 elections against Arroyo.
