Justice department urged to probe bizman’s death

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

MANILA -- Lawyer Oliver Lozano, the father of a businessman whose burnt body was found in Pampanga province last week, asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday to conduct a parallel investigation on the case.

Lozano held a meeting Tuesday with Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III wherein he said that he believed that the death of his son, Emerson, was a case of mistaken identity contrary to the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) initial theory that it was a case of carnapping.

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Emerson’s charred body was discovered on January 14 with a shot in his head, hands tied at the back, and mouth gagged with packing tape near the megadike in Porac, Pampanga. On the other hand, the charred body of his driver Hernani Sensil was found in La Paz, Tarlac.

Lozano cited the fact that the manner of killing was too brutal for someone who had no known enemy.

The elder Lozano is a well-known political lawyer who started his career as the legal counsel of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

He said his son was a generally good person and had not involved himself in his political activities.

He believes his son may have been a victim of mistaken identity, adding that Emerson had not received any previous death threats.

Lozano said his son was not a notorious criminal, and had his own private business but moonlighted as car dealer for a buy-and-sell company.

Emerson and Sensil were reported missing since January 12 after they were supposed to meet with a prospective buyer in Quezon City who had wanted to test-drive a van.

The elder Lozano also said a concerned citizen from Porac, Pampanga who knows about what happened in the night when his son went missing surfaced in response to their call for help.

He added the witness is credible and her/his statements can help solve the killing of his son Emerson.

However, he did not give further details so as not to jeopardize future police operations.

With the witness, lawyer Lozano asked the suspects to surrender, or face charges.

A reward is now up for anyone who can provide information that would lead to the killers of Emerson and his driver.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Deputy Director Benito Estipona said the P500,000 reward was offered by a “concerned citizen.”

A task force has been also created by PNP Director General Raul Bacalzo to investigate Emerson Lozano's killing, upon orders by President Benigno Aquino III.

Aquino, in a statement, said the discovery of what police have identified as the remains of the younger Lozano points to a grisly crime that is being thoroughly investigated to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The remains of Emerson now lie in state at the St. Peter Crematorium in Quezon City.

Review of peace and order

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said that the series of killings, including the death of Emerson Lozano, requires a thorough review of peace and order in the Philippines.

“Parang hinihingi ng panahon na magkaroon ng isang malaking overhaul sa peace and order natin (It is about time that we look into our peace and order),” he said.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said spending for the PNP and other security forces must be checked to see “if they really deserve the budget that is allotted to them.”

He said funding given to the PNP should be spent on protecting citizens from violence and crime.

“That is the basic responsibility and concern of government: to maintain law and order in the country,” he said.

For his part, Senator Gregorio Honasan II said he will hold hearings to have the PNP leadership explain to the public what they are doing to end the recent spate of killings.

Honasan, chairman of the Senate committee on public order, said the hearings are meant to reassure citizens that the PNP is doing its job.

The committee will also try to find out what the PNP needs to be able to do its job.

"What is the problem? Is it the law? Is it the implementation? Is it the implementing agency or all of the above?” said Honasan.

Senator Franklin Drilon, on the other hand, wants only the military, police, and security personnel to carry guns in public.

“It is high time that Congress should pass a law that regulates the use of firearms because the growing incidence of violence in the country is very alarming,” Drilon said.

Although Drilon's bill does not restrict who can own a gun, only members of the security forces will be issued permits to carry firearms. The permits will only be valid while on duty and while in full uniform.

Carrying guns without a permit will be punishable by at least six years in prison and a fine of P20,000-100,000. (JCV/Jonathan de Santos/With VR/Sunnex)