Fugitive murder suspect Cezar Mancao II has been taunting the Justice department with digitally-altered photographs, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Tuesday.
De Lima was referring to photos that Mancao sent to media supposedly showing him in front of the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters.
“Why bother giving him attention? It’s obvious that the pictures were altered using Photoshop. So I hope you don’t give attention to that…he just wants to fool people,” De Lima told reporters.
De Lima added Mancao sending out the pictures was insulting, Interaksyon reported. Mancao has said the photos were meant to show he was still in the country.
Mancao escaped from NBI custody earlier this month. He said he feared for his life and that the government would not be able to protect him if he were to be transferred to Manila City Jail as ordered by the court.
Mancao is a suspect in the murders of publicist Salvador Dacer and Dacer’s driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000. He was supposed to turn state witness but has since been removed from the Witness Protection Program.
He has been evading authorities since his escape, and has apparently made buying newspapers and posing for photographs his newest hobby.
De Lima said in the report that although NBI assets are looking for Mancao, finding him is not a priority right now.
—
Photo: Screenshot of TV5 report
