Philippine opposition senator ordered arrested

Sen. Panfilo Lacson faces immediate arrest upon his return to the country, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said. "We now have the warrant of arrest and the law is after him now," she said.

The former national police chief, who is one of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's staunchest critics, left for Hong Kong on Jan. 5, immigration records show. Devanadera and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said they do not know whether Lacson is still in Hong Kong.

In a statement Tuesday, Lacson said he was a victim of a conspiracy and feared for his life if he stayed in the Philippines to fight the charges.

"I will not allow Mrs. Arroyo and her cohorts ... the pleasure of seeing my life miserable and in danger," Lacson said. "I am not guilty, but I cannot risk putting my life and security at the mercy of that evil conspiracy."

Lacson's lawyer Alex Avisado said he will file a motion before the Manila Regional Trial Court to suspend the arrest warrant. If that is denied, the motion will be elevated to the Court of Appeals, he added.

"I would suggest to him that he should come back and face the issue squarely," Enrile said.

State prosecutor Peter Ong said last month the charges against Lacson were based on physical evidence and witness testimony, including that of a former police officer claiming that Lacson gave the order to kill a prominent publicist and his driver in 2000.

Publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer represented top political figures, including ousted President Joseph Estrada. Both Lacson and Estrada deny any hand in the murders.

Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito, were snatched from a Manila street and were later found strangled and burned. Investigators identified their corpses using dental records.

Lacson was elected senator in 2001 and was one of several candidates to run against Arroyo in the 2004 presidential election.

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