Dacer blindfolded; Dumlao told to get information on FVR plans

MANILA, Philippines - One of the former police officers linked to the murders of Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito related in an affidavit how he interrogated Dacer, who was blindfolded in a van, about the plans of former President Fidel Ramos and the opposition.

Former chief inspector Glenn Dumlao, in what is considered his third affidavit which he executed in his own handwriting, reportedly asked Dacer about what he and Ramos talked about, to which the publicist replied: “Humihingi lang ng advice (Just asking for advice).”

Dumlao also asked Dacer about the plans of the opposition. “Kaibigan ko nang matagal yung mga iyan. Kahit sa administrasyon marami rin akong kaibigan but I always stay neutral and professional (They’re my long-time friends. Even in the administration I have many friends),” Dacer was quoted

in the affidavit as saying in response.

Dumlao said there was another blindfolded man in the van but he didn’t identify him.

Joseph Estrada was the president at the time of the kidnap-slayings. Efforts to have him impeached were underway at the time.

The third affidavit is reportedly a confirmation of the first one dated June 19, 2001, the veracity of which Dumlao had allegedly recanted in a second affidavit.

Dumlao admitted having trailed Dacer on orders from then police senior superintendent Michael Ray Aquino and that he even had to check in at the Manila Hotel for the purpose under the false name Irwin Chavez.

Dumlao said he tried but failed to get into Dacer’s room to get documents. When told of this, an angry Aquino reportedly just asked him to burn or destroy the documents and computers.

In his affidavit, Dumlao also claimed to have met outside some KTV establishments in Dasmariñas, Cavite – where Dacer and Corbito were brought shortly after their abduction – chief inspector Vicente Arnado, senior inspector Robert Langcavon, PO3 Rolando Lacandile, SPO1 William Reed, and SPO4 Benjamin Taladua.

Dumlao said that when he was interrogating Dacer, he realized that he could not give any more information.

Dumlao told Aquino about it over the phone, and the latter instructed him to secure documents and go back to base.

At around 2:30 p.m., Senior Superintendent Teofilo Viña and his men arrived in an old model car and a Revo. Dumlao said he drove back to PAOCTF.

He said he learned of the discovery of the wrecked vehicle of Dacer in Maragondon from news stories later.