CAN WE REALLY TRUST

TULFO?
PACC: A HISTORY OF ABUSES AND BETRAYAL OF
PUBLIC TRUST!
The Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC) looks
and acts in some instances more like a government
instrument of oppression. With the existence of this
agency given the composition of its officials, the citizen
seem more endangered rather than safeguarded. Surely,
this was not the spirit in which the President created the
Commission and appointed its officials.

Murder, other violations of human rights, incriminatory

machination, subornation to perjury or inducing a person
to give false testimony, arrest and confinement of persons
without legal grounds, abuse of the powers of position
held - these are some of the accusations leveled against
the PACC and its personnel.

PACC's Task Force Habagat head, Panfilo Lacson has

demonstrated his propensity for misusing the powers and
resources attached to his office to promote personal
ends. He had displayed a clear pattern of action showing
a habit of thought that has mistaken a sacred
responsibility in a public office for unbridled use of
authority over the lives of others. He had arrogated unto
himself the right to designate fall guys by framing
innocent victims just so he could come up with
"accomplishments" or complete the cast for a script. The
following cases which show a ghoulish disregard for
human lives and criminal disregard for consequences to
actions taken on others, ominously unfurl the kind of
moral mindset that stalks a powerful seat of public office.

1. MASSACRE OF ALLEGED "KURATONG BALELENG"

MEMBERS

In May 18, 1995, tri-media banner story was the

decimation of the alleged "Kuratong Baleleng" gang
which was tagged as being responsible for the series of
bank robberies in Metro Manila. PACC-PNP authorities
proudly announced that the neutralization of the group
will stop the rash of bloody bank robberies in the
Metropolis. Eleven (11) alleged members of the gang were
killed in an alleged shoot-out at the fly-over in
Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City. The following day, May
19, 1995, the alleged leader of the KB group, Wilson
Soronda was killed in Pasig City after allegedly leading
PACC operatives in a follow-up operation and grappling
for the gun of his escorts. PACC Chairman, VP Estrada
capped the success story by trumpeting that they all
deserved to die.

Shortly later, SPO2 Eduardo Delos Reyes of the Criminal

Investigation Command (CIC) of the PNP "spilled the
beans" and denounced the PACC-PNP leadership for the
concocted "shoot-out" story and claimed being an
eyewitness to the mass murder. Another CIC investigator,
SPO3 Corazon dela Cruz and mediaman Mandy Capili
also came forward to corroborate the allegations of De
Los Reyes. VP Estrada promptly announced that Delos
Reyes is a protector of the "Kuratong Baleleng" group
having come from Agusan in Mindanao. Delos Reyes
meekly retorted that he hailed from Meycauayan, Bulacan,
grew up in Cavite and had never been to Agusan.
Unknown to Mr. Estrada, the original "Kuratong Baleleng"
anti-communist vigilante group was actually a Miasamis,
Mindanao based organization, which place is miles away
from Agusan.

The Philippine Senate picked up the issues amidst

growing public condemnation of the incident. Marathon
hearings were conducted that showed comedy of errors
being committed by the supposed top leaders of the
PACC and the PNP in the defense of their "story". The
verdict: RUB-OUTS OR MASS MURDERS. This resulted in
the resignation from positions of PACC's Lacson and
PNP's Canson, Acop and Zubia. Concerned member of
law enforcement agencies called the resignations as a
cosmetic act preparatory to a judicial remedy that had
always been affordable to institutional crimes.
Nevertheless, the PNP filed before the Ombudsman a
case of multiple murders against those who they think the
public had perceived to be liable. But the public can not
be simply turned around. The usual perception is that
there is more than what meets the eye.

The Senate investigations simply established what had

long been known about PACC operations. The
involvement of some PNP ranking leaders in the fiasco
was rated as individual desires of the concerned PNP
officials to be at par with PACC standards so that when VP
Estrada shall be catapulted to the Presidency, their future
shall be insured.

The Senate Inquiry established mass murder of eleven

(11) persons and the passing of the activity as a grand law
enforcement accomplishment worthy of public emulation
and reward. It also inferred that two more were victimized:
Wilson Soronda, who was the key to a lot bigger secrets
of the PACC and his sister, Gemma Soronda who was later
found/recovered murdered in a grassy lot in Biñan, Laguna
after being earlier arrested by the PACC.

Wilson Soronda was killed in a questionable PACC follow-

up operation in the early morning of May 19. He was
supposed to have been arrested in May 18, 1995 by PACC
operatives at 14 Palm St., Superville, Parañaque, MM while
the relatives, Jane Gomez and a certain Pait. They were
aboard a brand new Civic Honda with big sums of money.
Gomez and Pait upon arrest were brought to a safehouse
in Antipolo, Rizal where they were kept for several hours
and released later as their captors allegedly pitied them.
While at the Antipolo safehouse, Jane Gomez, the 15 yrs
old niece of Wilson Soronda was reportedly raped by a
PACC agent who was later identified to be C/Inspector
Wilfredo Reyes, the Intelligence Officer of PACC's TF
Habagat.

Gemma Soronda was sighted by witness SPO2 Delos

Reyes inside Camp Crame before the killing of the eleven
victims at Commonwealth Ave., QC. She allegedly knew
about the group's money but will not be able to
authenticate anything as she was later found murdered in
Laguna. Later, Gomes and Pait revealed their ordeals in
the safehouse and the story about the money. PACC's
Michael Ray Aquino eventually presented/leaked out to
media an obviously manufactured Tactical Interogation
Report of one Wilson Soronda who was unable to
complete his story as he was killed the next day in an
attempt to escape, delving largely on an alleged policy of
the Soronda Group to immediately divide the loot of their
endeavors after each heist.

The Senate hearings also established that at a joint PACC-

PNP raid, where PACC's Lacson prominently figured, in
Superville Subd., Parañaque, eight persons were arrested,
all were brought to Camp Crame in front of the Traffic
Management Command HQ from were they were
conveyed to Commonwealth Ave., QC where they were
killed in a "shoot-out" fashion in the early morning of May
18, 1995. The victims were tied or handcuffed when killed.
Four Armalite rifles were "planted" amongst them to
simulate a firefight. PACC operatives were sighted as the
main players of the drama. Further laboratory findings
eventually bolstered these conclusions.

The eleven dead at Commonwealth Ave., QC did not tally

with the number of persons arrested at Superville,
Parañaque. Reports have it that, of the eight arrested in
Parañaque, seven were actually loaded at the death vans
and Lacson added three more from his existing detainees
at his TF Habagat jail. Gemma Soronda was spared for the
next day. The total still makes ten dead persons from the
drama. Police investigators of Quezon City claimed seeing
ten dead persons on the scene which corroborated the
testimonies of Delos Reyes and Dela Cruz. The eleventh
victim was another person killed by Lacson elsewhere and
was dumped with the other ten victims at the morgue.

Reliable information revealed that Lacson was sighted at

the Hong Kong Standard Charter Bank shortly after the
"rub-outs". Local bank transactions also show a bank
transfer of TWO MILLION NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND
US DOLLARS to HK Standard Charter Bank made by Atty.
Paulino Ejercito, VP Estrada's brother, of Greenhills, San
Juan, Rizal with PIN 2337 at 2:00 PM on May 24, 1995.
Estrada quickly came to his defense by announcing that
Lacson did not pass Hong Kong on his way to the United
States for a vacation. But Bureau of Immigration records
show that Estrada and Lacson indeed made separate trips
to Hong Kong after the "rub-outs".
2. MURDER OF ALMERO AND FRUSTRATED MURDER OF
THREE OTHERS

In January 11, 1995, PACC Task Force Habagat operatives

led by C/Insp Wilfredo Reyes ambushed four men aboard
a Toyota car with plate no. TRN 497 at Fourth Estate
Subd., Parañaque, Metro Manila resulting in the killing of
one Rafael Almero and the wounding of three others,
Joselito Antonio, Gregorio Penoblar and Rafael Lozano.

PACC justified the operation as a "shoot-out" resulting

from their service of a search warrant at Editorial St.,
Fourth Estate Subd., Parañaque, Metro Manila. National
Bureau of Investigation conducted its inquiry and
determined that the operation was a cold blood killing of
an innocent person and frustrated murder of three others.
PACC to cover up, planted evidence on the scene
consisting of two Armalite rifles among others to
strengthen the version of a firefight but did not stand to
investigative tests as the firearms were eventually traced
to be their own. Eyewitnesses likewise belied their claims
and victims finally developed courage to tell the true story.
While PACC claimed that such was a deep penetration
operation utilizing one of the wounded, Joselito Antonio
as their "asset", eventual record checks by the NBI
revealed that of the four victims, only their "appointed
asset" had criminal records of carnapping and the rest
were clear of any criminal activity.
NBI subsequently recommended the filing of a murder
charge and three counts murder against PACC's Reyes
and ten other PACC agents in their Resolution dated Feb.
20, 1995 signed by nine (9) Senior Investigation Agents
led by NCR Director Atty. Salvador Ranin.

3. MURDER OF SIX ALLEGED RSG REMNANTS

Six alleged remnants of the RSG were killed in Bulacan in

1994; four in Bocaue, Bulacan and two more in Marilao,
Bulacan. Tri-Media scored it as a PACC's victory against
organized crime. VP Estrada arrived on the scene for a
photo session aboard a private helicopter. Local residents
were revolting. They knew that the four killed in Bocaue
were brought in the Subdivision house by the PACC to be
murdered. The four included the DBP caretaker of the
house which was earlier foreclosed by the bank.

The other two who were shot to death in cold blood at

Marilao, Bulacan in a scenario of a car chase was also
taken from the van where the four victims at Bocaue were
loaded. The ensuing drama accidentally hit a carpenter
doing his chore at a nearby house which caused his
instantaneous death, thus making the over-all fatalities
seven. The irony is that the five were reported to be PACC
"assets". Action officer to the drama was PACC's TF
Habagat Operations Officer, C/Insp. Michael Ray Aquino.
4. MURDER OF CARMELITO CALASAN

Carmelito Calasan was murdered in Cebu City in January

17, 1994 by PACC agents led by C/Insp. Wilfredo Reyes.
He was supposedly a wanted personality in the PNP's
Order of Battle known also as Michael Evasco of the
supposed "Kuratong Baleleng" gang. He was sighted
aboard a motorcycle brandishing a grenade launcher for
which PACC reports stated that he was shot after refusing
to heed the call to surrender. The same report stated that
he was brought to a Motel for interrogation where he
grappled for the Armalite rifle of his escort while in
handcuffs, which resulted in a firefight that resulted in his
instantaneous death. The Cebu-based Human Rights
Commission investigated the incident and had concluded
that indeed murder was committed.

Calasan, later investigations determined, was cohort of

PACC's Reyes in at least seven bloody bank robberies in
Metro Manila.

5. ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING OF SULPICIO LINES OWNER

Roberto Ramos an alleged "Kuratong Baleleng" member

was arrested by ISAFP in April, 1995. He revealed having
an extensive association with PACC officials in the pursuit
of criminal activities to include the attempt to kidnap the
children of the owners of Sulpicio Lines, a shipping
Conglomerate.
He revealed that he was contacted by PACC's C/Insp
Wilfredo Reyes and C/Insp Michael Rey Aquino to execute
the kidnapping for ransom of the Sulpicio Lines owners
who were his employers in November, 1993. The three
meetings conducted for the purpose were held in Maxim's
Restaurant and they were joined by Wilson Soronda of the
alleged "Kuratong Baleleng" criminal gang.

The plot did not materialize due to his refusal but he was
eventually framed up in another kidnap-for-ransom case
to keep him quiet. He had executed sworn statements to
the effect to include other crimes they have jointly
executed under the protective clout of the PACC.

6. MURDER AT NEW MANILA

NBI agents arrested PACC agents in Town and Country

Townhomes in Sta. Mesa, Manila for protection of illicit
drug activities of a Chinese national, Jimmy Co. A near
shoot-out ensued but cooler heads prevailed and the
situation was fixed.

Shortly later, PACC reported the busting of an alleged big

time drug syndicate after an alleged car chase in a
secluded portion of Gilmore St., Quezon City resulting in
the death of the same Chinese national and the
confiscation of some Forty-five Million Pesos worth of
"shabu". Curiously the dead Chinese in a known PACC
asset. Mr. Estrada came to the scene for the photo
session. Noticeable at his side in video clips was Atong
Ang, a big time drug pusher.

One PACC operative, Capt. Gilbert Cruz who was actually

not present during the "operation", later expressed
aprehension about the PACC story mentioning his name
as the team leader in the alleged encounter and the use of
his issued vehicle and license plate in the car chase
drama. Lacson recommended the spot promotion to the
next higher rank of C/Insp Michael Ray Aquino for
allegedly being the Project Officer of the "meritorious
accomplishment".

7. RAID AT THE PAWNSHOP OF WILLY VILLARICA

C/Insp Wilfredo Reyes, Intelligence Officer of PACC's Task

Force Habagat hauled off the owner and employees of the
Villarica Pawnshop in Caloocan City to Camp Crame. This
was the result of the pawning of a jewelry by Christy
Tannagan who is very well-known to be the mistress of
Reyes.

The woman was unable to pay the interest of the pawning

of the jewelry that Reyes feigned that the PACC was
confiscating a stolen property. The pawnshop owner had
forwarded the case to the Ombudsman.

8. OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE
Two prominent cases committed by the PACC were fixed
by VP Estrada with government funds. A Land Bank
cheque was issued in the name of Congressman Hernani
Perez to pay the widows of Atty. Matro of the Pueda case
and Wilfredo Aala of the Aala case who were mistakenly
killed by PACC operatives.

Estrada initially disowned the cheque but upon

interpellation by Cong. Perez admitted to it and reasoned
that it was something that Malacañang had approved.

9. RASH OF BANK ROBBERIES IN METRO MANILA

The rash of bank robberies in Metro Manila had been

attributed to several criminal groups. PACC had always
been quick to assign guilt to specific groups as the
perpetrators of the particular incidents.

Roberto Ramos, a known member of a criminal group

admitted to a string of bank robberies but implicated
members of the PACC in his group's operations,
particularly C/Inspectors Michael Ray Aquino and Wilfredo
Reyes in certain bloody heists that had proved financially
rewarding for the participants. In a sworn statement, he
detailed their over-all involvement in the heists in
Landbank on Muntinlupa, Far East Bank and Trust
Company in Quezon Blvd., Quezon City, Metrobank in
Ermita, Manila, PCI Bank in San Andres, Manila, Traders
Royal Bank in Parañaque, a money changer in Ermita,
Manila and Rizal Banking Corporation armored van at
Calamba, Laguna.

10. THE DRAMA ON THE DEATH OF PACC AGENT

PLANAS

SPO3 Dominador Planas was killed in an ambush in

Tandang Sora, Quezon City in Octobe5 24, 1994 while
escorting to school the three children of Fil-Chinese David
Tan. They were waylaid by five armed men who were
conspicuously waiting in the vicinity of Pasong Tamo
Elementary School where the children study. The subject
of attack was obviously the police officer. While the family
driver Pedro Gonzaga, was hurt, Planas suffered seven
gun shot wounds and died on the spot without being able
to fight back. The three children were left unharmed.

PACC was quick to declare the incident as a kidnap

attempt on the children here were glaring inconsistencies
between official police reports and orchestrated media
pronouncements. Estrada media machinery immediately
went to work. While the police officer died in the
performance of function assigned by his superiors, the
situation was an open opportunity for grandstanding.
Estrada and Lacson again obtained their most desired
publicity mileage and succeeded in sidetracking the real
issues.
Contrary to PACC's Lacson's press releases that the slain
police officer had been with the Tan family for three
months due to kidnap threats, the same police officer
together with another PACC agent, SPO3 Fedlet Salamat,
had been with David Tan for at least five years. David Tan
who is reported to be deeply involved in drugs is a
business partner of Lacson dating back as early as the
late seventies. They owned 45 AUTOMART which was
engaged in the importation of luxury vehicles, most of
which were stolen in the United States. NBI reports also
have it that the same imported vehicles had been loaded
with drugs and high powered firearms. They went into a
joint venture with Harry Uyson, another importer and
previous owner of EUROCARS which likewise engaged in
car trading. The union did not last very long due to quarrel
over dividends; Harry Uyson mysteriously disappeared
and police investigations revealed that he had been
kidnapped and murdered. David Tan is also the same
David Tan who sold suspended Calauan Mayor Sanchez
the two luxury vehicles which had been missing since the
Mayor was accused of the UPLB rape-murders case.
Planas and Salamat had been running errands for the car
trading business. They received Five Thousand Pesos
(P5,000) each as regular monthly stipend over and above
commissions from their own sales.

A letter of a certain Chito Planas had circulated. He

claimed to be a cousin of the slain police officer and that
they were together the night before the ambush. He said
that Planas expressed fears about his situation with
Lacson who threatened him of liquidation due to bungled
staying of one Masungsung of Batangas which Lacson
had ordered. He alleged that Planas asked him to reveal
all illegal activities of Tan and Lacson if anything
happened to him. He said that the late police officer also
confided his participation in the kidnap-slay of Harry
Uyson.

11. CODDLING OF ERRING PACC AGENT

On September 29, 1994, Flaviano Dazo III was arrested by

ADPCIG in Marilao, Bulacan together with two others by
virtue of a court warrant. Confiscated from their
possession were four unlicensed firearms and a PACC
Identification Card duly signed by Estrada as PACC
Chairman. In less than three hours after their arrest, Lt Col
Rodolfo Diaz, Estrada's Chief Security Officer and Retired
Col Crisostomo Abanes, PACC consultant and son-in-law
of former Congressman Vicente Rivera, Estrada's Vice
Presidential running mate came to AFPCIG office to "fix"
the case. They offered to "cover" the unlicensed firearms
with PACC Mission Orders and Memorandum Receipts.
When they were refused as the warrants were to be
returned to the court of origin, Rivera dealt with a Bulacan
Assistant Fiscal. His telephone call was enough to cause
the arrested persons to be released.

12. ASSOCIATION WITH KNOWN REMNANTS OF RED

SCORPION GROUP

Jojo Palo, one of the five original members of the RSG is

presently one of the personal drivers of PACC's Lacson.
Reports have it that Palo had been going around to sell
known RSG real estate property allegedly on instructions
of Lacson. Other RSG remnants were said to be under the
same protection and control of Lacson.

On September 14, 1994, Lacson claimed a "shoot-out"

with six alleged remnants of RSG in Bocaue and Marilao in
Bulacan; four were killed in a house in Veronica Subd.,
Bocaue and another two along the national highway in
Marilao. This was one widely publicized PACC scenario
which even the Human Rights Commission had started to
investigate. Eyewitnesses to the incident belied Lacson's
stories.

Accounts were that the six were mercilessly murdered.

One dead was a Development Bank of the Phil. (DBP)
caretaker for the foreclosed house where the drama was
executed and the rest were brought to the scenes by
PACC agents themselves. One of the five other victims,
Juan Cruz, was a known "asset" of PACC's Intelligence
Officer C/Insp Wilfredo Reyes who used to frequent TF
Habagat's office. The two victims who were executed
along the national highway were seen by observers to be
in handcuffs earlier; they were made to board a stolen
vehicle that was driven by one of PACC's agents and
brought to the road to be peppered with bullets simulating
a car chase and escape of the duo's companions. Lacson
and cohorts later "planted" home-made firearms, in
contradiction of reported RSG's sophistry in equippage
and armaments. The drama also had a seventh victim, a
hapless carpenter who was killed by stray bullets while
making repairs at a house nearby. In his usual cinematic
style, Estrada came in a helicopter to conduct an ocular
inspection of the "accomplishment".

13. ABDUCTION OF A RELIGIOUS MISSIONARY

On Augustr 29, 1994, Missionary Paul Garcia, 31 yrs. old,

of Philippine International Ministries of the Prophets and
Bride of Jesus Ministries International Inc., was abducted
at his residence in 1003 Zobel Roxas St., Malate, Manila
by PACC agents. In signature PACC scenario, he was
taken at gun point and made to board a waiting van
without license plate which was backed up by several
other vehicles which likewise had no plate numbers. While
inside the vehicle, he was bodily attacked, blindfolded and
made to admit to a crime that he did not commit and
which ironically did not happen. He was later brought to
Camp Crame where the attacks continued and where he
was kept for days. His relatives and friends who sought
him out during his detention were fooled about his
whereabouts and were denied access to him. Finally, after
days of detention, media and members of his religious
congregation succeeded in finding Garcia which forced
PACC to release him. Garcia had filed a case of unlawful
arrest, arbitrary detention and physical injuries against
PACC's CInsp Reyes and others.

14. HARASSMENT OF A WITNESS

In 23 July 1994, Mr. Karl Lagdameo, a reputable

businessman and one of known good standing in the
community, who chose to side with the truth by testifying
in behalf of Col Berroya in the controversial Chou alleged
kidnapping case (he executed an affidavit that Berroya
was, in fact, with him playing golf in Capitol Hills, as also
attested by the Club's Registry Books, during the day that
PACC claimed the former attended an alleged meeting to
plot the supposed kidnapping, in a place which Berroya
after al had never even been to) was harassed by PACC
men with a Search Warrant that was borne from a
malicious and manufactured charge that a firearm cache
was being kept in his residence at Sikatuna Village; the
succeeding search by more than twenty heavily armed
men which was preceded by a maid-slapping incident,
destruction of the house's front door and pointing of high
powered long firearms at a household, yielded a lone
licensed Mausser caliber .380 pistol and resulted in a
petty loss of a son's (Cutco) buck knife.

Lagdameo was arrested and detained at PACC's TF

Habagat for more than five hours during which time,
Lacson claimed he was too busy to talk to him. Ironically,
in complete disregard for the authenticated license of the
firearm and after a three week delay, Lacson ordered the
filing of a case of illegal possession of the same against
Mr. Lagdameo. DOJ is now conducting a preliminary
hearing of the case.

15. PENCHANT FOR SHORT-CUTS

PACC's Lacson managed to bulldoze himself into the

promotion system of the PNP. Even without the required
pre-qualifications, he obtained an Estrada sponsored
appointment which is in clear violation of the PNP Law,
R.A. 6975 and accompanying NAPOLCOM Resolutions.
He does not have the necessary Police Eligibility (PO1)
and a Masters Degree which are requirements even for a
lesser appointment; not even his position with the PACC
authorizes him the said appointment. Several concerned
PNP officers in "An Open Letter to the President" have
denounced it as an oversight and a political
accomodation.

PACC's executive officer, Antonio Gana, has appointed

himself "COLONEL". He uses the military rank in his
correspondence within PACC and even counterparts
abroad. He goes around in that title especially among
Chinese "friends". Records check with AFP Roster of
Troops show nothing of that name and rank in any listings
whether active, inactive, regular, reserve or retired. This is
a novel case of usurpation of military rank.
16. CASE OF TRIAL BY PUBLICITY

A BIR officer was accused by PACC in late 1993 of

extortion. His story is similar to Kit Alqueza who was
framed-up in the UPLB rape-slays case. He was invited by
the PACC supposedly for a dialogue. In signature Estrada
scenario, he was led to a roomful of media people and
made to admit to accepting bribe from a Chinese
businessman. Pleading innocence he has been appealing
to be cleared.

17. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS OF A POOR COUPLE

Violation of domicile, physical injuries and illegal arrest

were the charges against Lacson, et. al. by a poor couple,
Conrado and Catalina Jorda of 25 San Lucas St.,
Campsite, Payatas, Quezon City. Criminal charges were
filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor's office in 22
September 1993.

18. FRAME-UP OF GEN ALQUEZA AND COL BERROYA IN

AN ALLEGED KIDNAPPING CASE

The alleged kidnapping-for-ransom of an alleged Jack

Chou was "assigned" by PACC's Lacson to a group he
had charged to be protected by Gen. Alqueza and Col.
Berroya. The alleged incident was supposed to have
transpired in May 11, 1993, nineteen (19) days after
Lacson predicted it in an invented PACC intelligence
operation. A case was filed against the two officers and 21
others on July 26, 1993 based on an affidavit of Lacson
that was derived from hearsay and manufactured stories.
Even Lacson's supposed source of information denied in
writing having supported the fabrications.

Lacson claimed in his affidavit that he knew of the

"kidnapping" two days after the "victim" had left the
country. Yet he also claimed to media that he had
transcripts of phone conversations during the
"kidnapping". PACC also claimed in documents submitted
to DOJ that the person VP Estrada introduced to Col.
Berroya encashed a check in Hong Kong on May 17, 1993,
proceeds (P10 Million) of which were supposed to have
been brought home in paper bags by Kit Mateo, one of the
accused.

Based on the affidavit of Lacson, Estrada trumpeted

through media the filing of charges. Prosecutor Ferdinand
Abesamis of the Department of Justice on detail with
PACC who is supposed to evaluate the case was also
engaged in "evidence" gathering before filing the case
and after announcing the case; when asked to inhibit
himself from a farcical preliminary proceedings at the
DOJ, he assigned his 'extensions' towards the predictable
conclusion, that there was a "probable cause to file a
case". The same prosecutor/investigator/case evaluator
was also said to be dating the married nineteen year old
daughter of PACC's profession "witness" Lenny
Pagtakhan. Estrada had promised the young girl that he
would facilitate her going to Japan as a "Japayuki".
Pagtakhan was reportedly paid a hefty sum of money.

Francisco "Kit" Mateo was abducted in order to extract

false testimony from him against Alqueza and Berroya.
When Mateo refused to falsely testify, Lacson filed the
case on the basis of his own afidavit. Lacson's claim
through media of the case filed was not supported by
formal notice of charges until one month after. Affidavits
submitted implicated only Estrada's friend William Ting,
Lacon's Intelligence Officer C/Insp Reyes and PACC
witness Pagtakhan. Identity/existence of a Jacvk Chou
had to be established. There were no official records of
occurrence of the alleged kidnapping.

William Ting, also a respondent and earlier tagged as a

drug lord connected with one Go Teng Kok in a privilege
speech by Congressman Robert Barbers, was earlier
vouched for by VP Estrada in a meeting at his (VP's)
residence with Berroya. There were two witnesses to this,
to include a retired Manila RTC judge.

Significantly, Lacson in statements to the press on Aug. 2,

1993 said that Berroya was "in the States nag T T N T"
(Tago-ng-Tago) in order to give the impression of the
latter's unavailability to air his side and defend himself
from these pernicious actions. He was unaware that
Berroya had already come back from the US trip that was
ironically arranged by Estrada himself.

Initial documents (based on case filed vs. Kit Mateo)

covering the case did not include an Official Complaint
Sheet. This document is an official pre-requisite whenever
any case is filed. Up to August 31, 1993 or 36 days after
the alleged filing of said case and contrary to Lacson's
public pronouncements, Alqueza and Berroya were not
served any formal notice of the charges. The Philippine
National Police (PNP) Chief declared in the Senate hearing
of August 19, 1993 that PACC had likewise failed to
submit any document supporting their public accusations
against the two officers.

PACC bogus "Col" Antonio Gana and Lacson flew to Hong

Kong on August 3, 1993 after filing their case against the
two officers, to "gather evidence" versus their accused. It
is anomalous that those who are supposed to defend the
citizen's rights should first assign guilt then find basis for
the accusation later. They returned August 5, 1993
empty-handed.

While the PACC did not send formal notice of charges to

Berroya and Alqueza, they pursued the same case against
Mateo. On the first day of preliminary investigation of
Mateo which was set by the PACC itself, their
investigators themselves requested for postponement.
PACC had also failed to forward to their accused,
documents relative to their charges.

To becloud the issues further, Estrada announced in

media that they had filed cases against Gen. Alqueza and
Col. Berroya for illegal trafficking of drugs. In fact, they
were never charged of anything related to any violations
of laws regarding drugs.

In a memo circulated by Lacson to the Philippine Military

Alumni Association and media representatives as his vain
attempt to justify and rationalize his actions, Cinsp
Wilfredo Reyes PNP was cited as the resource person
around whom the story of the kidnap-for-ransom evolved.
Lacson made it appear like Reyes was the trusted man of
the two officers who had turned against them. Contrary to
such claim, Reyes was never under the Command of Gen.
Alqueza. He was assigned with Task Force Gemini of the
PNP which Col. Berroya joined much later as Chief of Staff
and then eventually as Deputy Chief. Col. Berroya never
had any professional or personal dealings with Reyes
while with TF Gemini, the former knowing that Reyes was
unpopular owing to numerous derogatory reports about
the latter him. The following underscores the "value" of
Reyes as a "credible witness".

When Task Force Lawin under Berroya was organized in

lieu of Task Force Gemini, Reyes attempted to join in. He
stage-managed the kidnap-for-ransom of Michelle Lim,
daughter of the owner of Gembel's Garment Factory in 24
September 1992 to contrive an impression of his worth as
an intelligence officer. While the public, through an
orchestrated media blitz, was made to believe that it was
the first big accomplishment of the PACC in anti-
kidnapping operations, the same was a big fiasco.

- Valenzuela Police reports stated the sighting of Reyes

during the actual abduction of the victim,

- Of the reported 3 Million Pesos paid in ransom, only 473

Thousand Pesos was recovered,

- Of the alleged seven kidnappers, four escaped with the

rest of the money and three (Sn1 Joel Defensor PN, Pvt
Jose Ronnie Lama PA and Patricio Lozania) who were later
identified to be men of Reyes were killed in "shoot-outs"
and finally,

- The victim was "heroically" rescued in a safehouse in

Alamanza, Las Piñas guarded by a relative of Reyes (Edna
Reyes) in a record 36 hours.

- Firearms recovered after the "encounters" were

eventually traced to be owned by Reyes.

Although Col. Berroya was then in Hong Kong performing

the infamous deportation of eight alleged international
drug ring members for the PACC, the operation was
credited to TF Lawin. However, this Reyes scenario did not
escape the discernment of Lacson who reported the
"inside story" to VP Estrada who himself barred the entry
of Reyes into TF Lawin.

Presently, the whole family of Michelle Lim is out of the

country for good and Reyes is the Intelligence Officer of
PACC's TF Habagat.

Subsequent Background Investigation of Reyes revealed

his involvement in big time crime syndicates. He is known
as alias "Baste" of an Ilongo criminal gang specializing in
bank and armored van robberies, carnapping and kidnap-
for-ransom. He was reported to have figured in at least
five known heists; namely:

- The 15 Million Peso Security Bank of Lipa City armored

van robbery in Calamba, Laguna in 03 April 1991 where
four persons, to include a Highway Patrol agent, were
reportedly killed and five others, wounded. Reyes was
prominently described by eyewitnesses.

- The 5 Million Peso RCBC armored car robbery in Gen.

Santos City, in Cotabato in 20 December 1989 where
three bank security guards were killed and another one,
wounded;

- And only lately, while already with PACC's TF Habagat as

Intelligence Officer, a bank robbery in Manila in November
1993 and two bank robberies in Pampanga sometime
around June 1994. The break came when Tarlac PNP
busted a big carnapping syndicate in July 1994 about
which media reported that a "blue book" containing
alleged names of PNP and AFP members/protectors was
recovered; further investigations showed that in one of
the fake registration papers found in a recovered stolen
car, the name Major Wilfredo Reyes with PACC telephone
numbers 722-8114 and 709-018 was written, apparently
by Reyes himself; one arrested ex-PNP member later
confessed on the participation of Reyes in their previous
nefarious activities.

- Reyes, also lately, caused the tampering of five vehicles

allegedly stolen by his syndicate. The tampering of engine
and chassis numbers were done in Tarlac where spurious
LTO registration papers were also acquired through their
regular contacts. The vehicles were a white Vanette model
1994, a red Mitsubishi Gallant model 11987, a maroon
Super Saloon Nissan Sentra registered with Plate no. CKR
646 under the name, Wilfredo Reyes, a white Nissan
Sentra registered with Plate no. CKR 648 under the name,
Francisco Reyes and a Space Wagon registered with Plate
No. CKR 600 under the name of a certain Matilde.

- Unconfirmed reports have it that Reyes figured in the

kidnapping for ransom of a certain Reynaldo Co of Everest
Farms in Marilao, Bulacan in July 1994 and the robbery of
Bocaue Rural Bank in the same month, while still with
PACC's TF Habagat.
Reyes had an extensive association with one Michael
Evasco of the alleged criminal Kuratong Baleleng Gang
who was his reported benefactor while he was in his home
province in Cotabato. The same was said to have helped
the former through when he was allegedly "wounded-in-
action" while assigned in the South.

Evasco was later tagged by Lacson as a principal in the

alleged Jack Chou kidnapping. Another drama unfolded
when Evasco was killed in an alleged encounter with
PACC agents in Cebu on Feb. 1993 in a doubtful PACC
operation of pursuit where he was supposed to have been
sighted aboard a motorcycle, equipped with a grenade
launcher. After having been wounded when he did not
purportedly heed the call to surrender, he was shot again,
fatally this time, in a Motel where he allegedly grappled for
an M-16 rifle, while in handcuffs. Again Reyes was
reported to be present during the whole episode.

During court hearings, Reyes testified that his source of

"valuable" information about the "kidnap Story" was the
dead Evasco. This is the meat of the case against
Alqueza, et. al., to include the testimony of another
perjured witness, Ms. Lenny Pagtakhan.

Lacson for certain intents and purposes assigned the

highest degree of credibility to Reyes in the prosecution of
the case against Alqueza and Berroya. He made it appear
that Reyes was their trusted man who had turned against
them to come up with the "truth". The documentation of
Reyes is a supposed Project "Shining Star" intelligence
penetration operation while preposterous and an obvious
afterthought as proven during the court proceedings was
an insult to known dogma of professional intelligence
activities.

As stated in the same memo of Lacson itself, Reyes had

come into the case as early as April 22, 1993, then naming
all the alleged twenty-three (23) perpetrators, he called
"targeted for conviction' during a court hearing for a crime
that was supposed to happen in May 11, 1993, or 19 days
later. Reyes in July 28, 1993 sought help from Col.
Berroya, in front of four witnesses, regarding a blackmail
by Lacson, as he claimed, for him to testify against
Alqueza, et. al., otherwise Lacson would proceed against
him criminally and administratively for his known nefarious
activities. In August 8, 1993, Reyes wrote Berroya a
personal letter stating among others that he did not like to
be involved in the "rift between him and Lacson" and that
he feared for his life but "has not testified and will not
testify as he knows nothing about the case".

Most revealing was Lacson's own statement in the open

court when asked about the authenticity of the contents
of his own affidavit purporting that he learned from Reyes
about the alleged details of the kidnapping, where he
strongly declared that it is the responsibility of Reyes to
validate his (Lacson's) statement.

In one court hearing, Reyes arrogantly identified the

accused as the personalities he knew to have participated
in the alleged kidnap incident. He professed close
acquaintance with each everyone of them and readily
pointed to all as those whom he knew very closely.
However during the recess, Col. Sta. Clara, one of the
accused, got close to him and asked him if he really knew
the former for which he replied, "Hindi, Sir! Pero, sumama
ka na lamang sa amin. Bagsak na ang mga 'yan!"

Reyes in 26 July 1993 was a co-accused in the alleged

case as borne by court documents and in March 1994
was a "government witness" under Lacson's Project
"Shining Star". It was an abrupt turnaround, bereft of
normal procedures involved in government witness
acquisition program. This was just one of the examples of
how Lacson arrogated upon himself judicial processes. Of
the 23 to whom he had "assigned: guilt, he had put under
his personal custody three respondents; one he had
maintained to be a family driver/mechanic (Virgilio dela
Cruz) after agreeing to his terms, one being committed to
the PNP stockade and one being finally sent home when
he could not extract any cooperation to implicate the
others despite the same existing Warrants of Arrest with
similar application. Even martial law conditions could not
compare with such disparity of treatment and dereliction
of application of laws.
The first Presiding Judge, Julio Logarta, after six months
of supposed marathon hearings on the petition for bail
filed by the accused, denied bail with indecent haste,
violating orders he had himself promulgated. He
summarized approximately 10,000 pages of available and
unavailable transcripts of court records into one page,
only to talk to one of the defense counsels to move for his
inhibition as the "pressure", according to him was
tremendous. A raffle among three remaining Special
Courts was subsequently conducted and the case was
awarded to Judge Roberto Diokno who promptly inhibited
himself also, allegedly due to technical reasons. Another
raffle would have been conducted between the remaining
two Courts but one judge filed his resignation as a special
court judge. The Makati RTC Executive Judge elevated
the issue before the Supreme Court which after two
months decided that the case be re-raffled to all Makati
RTC judges. The third magistrate, on August 5, 1992, in
his first order in the case set aside Logarta's decision,
declaring it as irregular and therefore, null and void.
Lacson in his characteristic arrogance complained about
having a hard time with the new judge and boasted that
he was always in touch with Logarta.

Meanwhile, the families and the friends of the accused

were subjected to continuing harassment and
intimidation. They were constantly being followed by
heavily armed men riding in vehicles whose license plates
when checked were found to be fictitious. Poisons letters
and telegrams, anonymous phone calls and actual
physical threats were regular occurrences to them.

19. ABDUCTION AND ILLEGAL DETENTION OF

FRANCISCO MATEO

The story of Kit Mateo has the same plot as many others.
Picked up from his house on July 23, 1993, without any
warrant, his family terrorized, his house destroyed and his
car taken, Mateo was illegally detained by Lacson and
threatened with liquidation if he did not falsely testify
against Gen. Alqueza and Col. Berroya in the "kidnap
case" contrived by Lacson. Mateo refused and filed
charges of unlawful arrest, arbitrary detention, grave
threats and violation of domicile against Lacson, et. al. on
August 11, 1993.

Now Lacson is under bail before a Quezon City court, but

Mateo and the wife are correspondents in the same
kidnap case.

20. FRAME-UP OF EDGARDO LAVADIA

Lavadia was picked-up by PACC at his residence in July

26, 1993 without appropriate warrants and detained until
August 21, 1993. While under illegal detention, he was
coerced into signing a false testimony against Teofilo
Alqueza in order to pin the murder of Allan Gomez on the
youth. When a Writ of Habeas Corpus was served, Lacson
in a bid to hold on to Lavadia filed charges of illegal
possession of firearms ( arusty old gun was planted
amongst his flatware in the kitchen when he was picked
up) against Lavadia. When a bail was posted, Lacson
claimed Lavadia was with the Department of Justice
under the Witness Protection Program; in fact, PACC kept
him in a room at the Silahis Hotel for three days. Lavadia
recanted his story upon release and is filing charges.
Lavadia and Alqueza were cleared by the DOJ of PACC's
charges on September 10, 1993.

21. FRAME-UP OF TEOFILO "KIT" ALQUEZA IN CALAUAN

CASES

"Kit" Alqueza, son og Gen. Alqueza was charged with

being the mastermind of the slaying of Allan Gomez of the
UPLB rape-slays case. Invited to a one-on-one dialogue
with VP Estrada, he was led to a roomful of media people
and accused before national television of the crime,
without the benefit of a legal counsel and without being
given the chance to defend himself.

Even as PACC "witnesses" stated categorically that their

allegations are false, Estrada and CISC's Chief Supt. Angel
Quizon held on to their story. Significantly, it is suggested
by observers and opinion writers that the contrivance was
aimed to divert the focus from Calauan Mayor Antonio
Sanchez who has been identified by witnesses as the
principal suspect in the UPLB case. Lacson's and
Estrada's links with Mayor Sanchez (through the jueteng
payolas, cars supplied by the duo to Sanchez, policemen
identified with Sanchez who are now with PACC, one
lawyer for the Calauan respondents named Atty. Exconde
who is related by affinity to PACC's bogus "Col." Antonio
Gana and Atty. Mar Arias who is said to have come from
Estrada himself) are perceived to be the reasons.
According to talks in the Upsilonian circle, PACC's Ike
Gutierrez confided to a prominent Upsilonian that
Sanchez had released P10 M to Estrada, P10 M to Lacson
and P10 M from media to draw the "heat" away from him.

Lacson has attempted to foist fabricated evidence on the

case. This has been rejected by the UP group which has
closed ranks and vigilantly insisted on the pursuit of
justice; especially the parents of the murder victims, who
are rallying support for the Alqueza family. Despite:

- rencantation of PACC's two witnesses (Corcolon and

Lavadia),

- vehement denial by third witness (Rose Molina) of

PACC's love triangle theory, and

- statement by Centino (driver of Sanchez, who pointed at

Sanchez as the first to rape Sarmenta) that portion of his
affidavit involving Kit must be deleted,

Vice President and PACC head Estrada and Lacson insist

that 19-year old Alqueza masterminded the murder by
paying international forger Lavadia (who deals in millions)
the puny sum of P21,000.

Estrada presented two witnesses vs. the young Alqueza.

The first, Luis Corcolon, who immediately recanted while
the second, Lavadia, who was illegally detained until
August 21, 1993 (since July 26, when he was picked up
w/o warrant and w/o charges), by which time his lawyer
obtained a court order for his release. PACC, continued to
detain him until bail was posted. PACC them claimed that
he (Lavadia) had sought protection under the Government
Witness Protection Program, as state witness and that his
case had been forwarded to the Dept. of Justice (DOJ).
Lavadia was missing for three days until his lawyer and his
daughter called a press conference. Upon his release to
he custody of his lawyer he recanted, claiming PACC men
subjected him to electric shocks and water torture in
order to extract the false testimony vs the young Alqueza.

Residents of Calauan and neighboring towns are aware of

several cases of abduction with rape and murder of young
girls from the locale. Powerless to defend themselves
from the power and the vast wealth of the perpetrators,
those who survived the ordeal just kept silent in fear for
their lives. One survivor is known to have said "Balang
araw makakatapat din kayo ng may laban sa inyo." It was
feared that all the other frame-ups and sideshows were
intended to divert the focus of attention from these series
of abductions, rapes and murder in Laguna.

Seven men associated with Calauan (Laguna) Mayor

Sanchez (Manuel Alanday, Antonio Garcia, Landrito
Peradilla, Dante Asegurado, Virgilio Adia, Bonifacio
Fernandez, Miguel Nepomuceno, Jr.) were brought by
Lacson from the Laguna Provincial Command to Task
Force Habagat of the PACC. During the incumbency as
provincial commander of Laguna, Lacson used these men
for his "hulidap" (apprehend then 'hold up' or extort from
in order that no charges will be filed) vs. Laguna residents
particularly competitors of Sanchez in his illegal gambling
operations. Gen. Alqueza (a resident of Los Baños,
Laguna) cautioned Lacson about this and requested him
to move his men out as their activities were stirring up
conflict and alarm in the locale. Lacson begrudged
Alqueza this move. When he moved out of Laguna,
Lacson proceeded to transfer these men to the
Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC) to operate for
VP Estrada.

Peradilla has been identified by Calauan case suspect

Malabanan as one of the killers of father and son,
Penalosas in April 13, 1991. The family is a political
opponent of the then mayor and twin murder case is one
of the case filed vs. Mayor Sanchez in addition to the
UPLB rape-slays case.

22. FRAME-UP OF A PAMPANGA PROVINCIAL PNP

DIRECTOR

Supt. Rodrigo Baluyo PNP was set up and charged with

the alleged ambush of a certain Rolly Enriquez, a friend of
VP Estrada. While the officer was under the impression
that he will be cleared, in signature PACC style of
developing a case, Lacson's men stormed the office of a
certain Walter Mangalindan Santos in mid-1993. There
was no warrant, just threats to shower the office with
bullets. Santos was picked-up and beaten into signing a
false affidavit. He was next made to execute a waiver of
detention with PACC assigning its own lawyer, Atty.
Diosdado Garcia, for him. His sister has since filed
charges before the Human Rights Commission.

23. MURDER OF RSG LEADER JOEY DE LEON

In February, 1993, RSG leader Joey de Leon was

neutralized in Calumpit, Bulacan which was heralded as a
PACC major accomplishment in its anti-crime efforts.
Later investigations conducted revealed that De Leon did
not die in a claimed shoot-out by the PACC but was
actually killed in cold blood as shown by laboratory finding
that he had ligature marks around his wrists, indicating
that he was tied up before his death. The victims family
also complained that his personal belongings including
jewelries and a big sum of money were stolen.

24. MASSACRE OF AN ALLEGED RSG FAMILY

Rolando Paliluan, reportedly an active member of de
Leon's Red Scorpion Group was being sought out by
PACC's TF Habagat for his reported past involvement in
criminal activities and the RSG funds in millions of pesos
he was supposed to have kept. On March 20, 1993, at 10
PM, his in-laws house in Bgy. Bacabac, Camiling, Tarlac
was raided by lacson's select men (Cebu group). Unable
to find Paliluan and he RSG money, the raiders turned their
ire on the house occupants. They killed four of his
relatives, namely: Andromico Pascual, Sr., 68 yrs, old;
Edgardo Catindoy, 34 yrs. old; Mario Pascual, 24 yrs. old
and Andromico Pascual, Jr. The barangay residents have
denounced the incident but are fearful of further
consequences on them.