MANILA - Preparations have been undertaken for the return of a former police official who is believed to be a key witness in the double murder case of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito last 2000.

Former police superintendent Cezar Mancao was onboard a Philippine Airlines flight to Manila from Los Angeles International Airport after he was turned over by US marshals to a team from the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation.

Mancao and the NBI team are set to arrive Thursday morning in Manila.

Mancao was brought by US marshals Wednesday night (Los Angeles time) to the airport and turned over to the NBI officials, lawyers Ric Diaz and Claro de Castro Jr.

“Kasama ko si Attorney Diaz para i-secure natin ang safety niya although wala naman tayong nakikitang hindi magandang pangyayari sa flight naman natin. Alam ko namang magiging maayos ito,” said de Castro.

Protective custody

Mancao was formally placed under protective custody of the NBI officials after the signing of his extradition from the US, which took place at the airport.

Diaz meanwhile was seen bringing Mancao’s personal belongings which were handed over earlier to the NBI officials by Mancao’s wife, Maricar.

During the flight, Mancao was described as being in good spirits.

Asked how he felt about his return to the Philippines, he said he has mixed feelings. He said he was sad about leaving his family behind.

When asked if he was going to stand by statements which reportedly tagged Sen. Panfilo Lacson in the double-murder case, Mancao only said: “I will stand by my statements.”

Asked further if he feared Lacson, Mancao again only replied: Paninidigan ko naman ang mga sinabi ko.”

Security prepared

Meanwhile the NBI has laid out security preparations for Mancao’s arrival in Manila.

A bulletproof vest, requested by Mancao, was already prepared as well as a 200-man NBI force that would secure the former police official.

Only those who would provide close-in security for Mancao reportedly would be allowed to bring firearms.

Media personnel who would cover Mancao’s arrival at the airport have been limited and were briefed on the security arrangements.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said there would be no press conference at the airport for "security reasons, and Mancao may still be drowsy from the flight.”

Gonzalez said he would meet with Mancao but would not take too long.

"I dont want to talk to him at length, might be misunderstood that I’m teaching him what to say… I’ll just see him to assure him of safety and that once he complies with his testimony, we will move to declare him state witness," said Gonzalez.

Sealed room

The room in the NBI headquarters in Manila where Mancao would be taken after arriving has also been readied. All the room’s windows were sealed with concrete blocks for the security of the former police official.

Mancao’s wife, Maricer, meanwhile told ABS-CBN News that she and their children may foll her husband’s return to the Philippines next week.

Mancao has expressed willingness to turn state witness against the people behind the kidnapping and murder of Dacer and Corbito in 2000.

There were reports that Mancao might tag Lacson in the murder case.

Lacson is Mancao's former superior in the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, a special police team formed during the time of former President Joseph Estrada to stop kidnappings in the country. With reports from Ging Reyes, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau chief, Maan Macapagal, ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN News Channel