Preparations are underway for the impending return to the Philippines of a former police official who is a key witness to the 2000 killing of publicist Salvador ‘Bubby’ Dacer and driver, Emmanuel Corbito.

Maricar Mancao, wife of former Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao, has provided Lawyer Ric Diaz of the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) who is in Los Angeles, her husband’s luggage containing his personal belongings.

Diaz, head of NBI’s counterterrorism department, has been tasked to accompany Mancao on his return to the Philippines which may reportedly take place on June 2.

Maricar was not allowed to visit her husband at the Edward R. Roybal Federal building in Los Angeles where the former police official is being held by US marshals.

Diaz meanwhile said that he does not see any hindrance that would prevent the return of Mancao to the Philippines.

He said he is set to get the travel papers of Mancao from the Philippine consulate in Los Angeles. He said the NBI has also made preparations in the Philippines when Mancao arrives.

Mancao’s lawyer, Arnedo Valera had earlier said that his client has already submitted a deposition in the extradition hearing of fellow police officer and former chief aide of Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Michael Ray Aquino in the United States as required by a US judge.

"To the best of my knowledge, with the conclusion of deposition, there is no legal hindrance at all sa pagbalik sa Pilipinas. The Philippine government should thresh out the details with the state department, but he can go anytime to authenticate ang affidavit niya," Valera said.

Valera added that based on a previous agreement with the Philippines’ Department of Justice, the media, and his family, will accompany Mancao in returning to the Philippines.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez had previously also noted that Mancao has been due for turnover to the Philippines for a long time, and he sees no more legal impediments to his return, which could lead to the reopening of the nine-year old Dacer-Corbito case.

In his affidavit, Mancao had linked Lacson to the murders saying he was with Lacson when Lacson allegedly gave the order to silence the publicist in the year 2000. – with a report from Val Cuenca, ABS-CBN News