MANILA - Former police officer Cezar Mancao said he is afraid of Sen. Panfilo Lacson, but he is willing to face the consequences of finally revealing the truth behind the kidnapping and murder of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer in 2000.

"Well, medyo meron din pero siguro naman kung hustisya ang pag-usapan, kung ano ang mangyayari eh haharapin ko naman (Well, a little, but if it's for justice, I'm willing to face the consequences)," Mancao said when asked if he's afraid of Lacson, his former commander in the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force.

Asked what really pushed him to turn his back on Lacson, Mancao said he felt neglected by the former police chief, which he said was the least he expected from Lacson, whom he respected all throughout his police career.

"It's about time. Itong bago ako mahuli, humingi din naman ako ng tulong. Wala naman akong maasahan na (Before I was arrested I asked for help. I did not get any help anymore)," the former police officer told ABS-CBN North America News Bureau chief Ging Reyes during an interview inside the Philippine Airlines flight PR 103, which touched down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 5:23 a.m. Thursday.

He added: "Siguro naman itong walong taon kong itinatagu-tagu kong katotohanan ay mailalabas ko na rin... Sinakripisyo ko ang career ko. Iniwan ko ang pamilya ko. Sinunod ko iyong utos ng taong nirespeto ko.

"Pumusta rin ako eh (Maybe this time I will be able to reveal the truth. I sacrificed my career. I left my family. I followed the orders of the person I respected)."

Mancao added that while he was in hiding in the United States, he also thought of revealing the truth behind the murder case. He said he is hoping the government will take him as state witness.

"Maybe with that, I can gain my freedom and I can be with my family," he said.

Mancao is among those charged with the murder in November 2000 of Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito. He has implicated Lacson and former President Joseph Estrada in the murder case.

Lacson and Estrada have denied involvement in the crime. Lacson has also said that there is nothing in Mancao's affidavit that can be used to pin him down with the double murder.

Threat

Aside from his fear of Lacson, Mancao said he asked for security from the government due to fears that his past enemies might attempt to get back at him and take advantage of the situation.

Mancao was wearing a bullet-proof vest when he went down the plane and while he was being transported to the headquarters of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila. He was escorted by at least 200 NBI agents, reports said.

The former police officer will stay temporarily at the NBI headquarters as he awaits the Department of Justice's decision on his request to become a state witness.

Back to service?

Mancao hinted during the interview that he has been offered to return to active police service in exchange for his knowledge about the double murder case.

"Well isa sa mga konsiderasyon ko iyan pero hindi ko naman talaga hiniling eh (Well, that is one the considerations, but I did not ask for it)," he said. "Given another chance I can still go back to the service."

Mancao said another plan is to return to United States and spend the rest of his life with his wife and children.

He, however, said it would take time before he could return to America because of the case.

He said his family is planning to follow him from the United States and be with him.