Manero confirms threats to his life

Koronadal City – Convicted priest killer Norberto Manero Jr., popularly known as one of the leaders of the infamous anti-communist Ilaga vigilante group that existed in the 1970s, confirmed that there are threats to his life. 

“Normal lang naman yan (That’s just normal),” Manero said in a long-distance phone interview with Bombo Radyo Koronadal yesterday. 

Manero, who earned his freedom last Friday after spending 23 years at the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP) for the killing of Italian priest Tulio Favali, did not name those behind the threats, saying he was uncertain on who they really are.

Manero, known among his former Ilaga followers as Kumander Bukay, however, merely shrugged off the threats.

“Ang importante nakalaya na tayo (What’s important is I’m already free) and… alive,” he said.

Manero confirmed his agreement with another Italian priest, Fr. Peter Geremiah, that once he gets out of prison, he would visit North Cotabato, particularly Tulunan town where Favali was killed.

Geremiah visited Manero at the NBP in 2005 and told him that he was “welcome” to visit Favali’s tomb in Tulunan.

“Totoo yan, totoo yan (That’s true, that’s true),” Manero said. He, however, did not say if he would really visit Favali’s tomb when he returns to North Cotabato.