19 April 2006 – Philippine Ambassador to Washington, USA Albert F. Del Rosario reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Embassy is closely monitoring the detention of former Philippine National Police Senior Superintendent Cesar Mancao at the Miami Federal Detention Center in Florida.

Ambassador Del Rosario informed the Department that Philippine Honorary Consul General in Miami Angelo S. Macatangay, Jr.  submitted a report to the Embassy stating that “he was allowed to see Mancao in the FBI office as a special accommodation” and “observed that Mancao was obviously concerned and tired but composed and in good health.”

Honorary Consul General Macatangay, Jr. informed Ambassador Del Rosario that “he received a telephone call on 14 April 2006 from Cesar Mancao, who informed him that he voluntarily turned himself into the custody of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials in Miami on 13 April 2006 after he was sought by the FBI at his home.”

Ambassador Del Rosario said that the Honorary Consul immediately went to meet Mancao at the offices of the FBI in Miami where he found the former police official in good health.  The Ambassador further reported that Mancao “was glad to see a Philippine Government representative” and that “his lawyer was with him” while in the FBI office.

Mancao’s lawyer informed Honorary Consul General Macatangay, Jr that his client was to be taken to the Miami Federal Detention Center after the FBI authorities complete their procedure and that “he intends to file for bail the next day with the Federal Magistrate.”

Ambassador Del Rosario reported that “the FBI, Mancao and his lawyer said that he (Mancao) was needed as a material witness in New Jersey. “   The Ambassador further reported that according to Mancao’s lawyer “the Federal Attorney General’s office was sending an officer to Florida this week to see Mancao and therefore they have suspended their efforts to get him out on bail in the meantime.”

The Philippine Embassy in Washington has consular jurisdiction over Florida.

In the meantime, Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong of the Philippine Consul General in New York informed the Department that the Consulate will be closely monitoring Mancao’s case should the former police official be flown to New Jersey in connection with the case against Mr. Michael Ray Aquino.   The Consulate General, which has jurisdiction over New Jersey, has also been monitoring the progress of the case against Michael Ray.  END