It is unfortunate that there are people who would use anything, even the death of a close friend of mine, to pursue their agenda of demolishing my former superior, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, whom the administration regard as one of the strongest contenders for the 2004 presidential elections.

That my name is now being dragged to the slaying of Supt. John Campos is not only cruel but the height of absurdity, which only the likes of Mary Ong and his handlers are capable of doing.

I have known John since our days in the Philippine Military Academy, where he was my upperclassman, he being a member of Class '87 and I belonging to Class '88. We served together in the Constabulary's Regional Special Action Force (RSAF) in Cebu from 1988-89 and at the Cebu Metrodiscom from 1989 to the earlier part of 1992 under then Lt. Col. Lacson and for three more months under Lt. Col. George Aliño. I was deeply saddened when a common friend broke the bad news to me.

John is like a brother to me. I was one of his groomsmen when he got married. His godfathers include Senator Lacson, Gen. Ramon Montaño, Gen. Guillermo Domondon and former Congressman Mike Romero. John was also one of my groomsmen when I got married. In fact, he is also godfather to my son, Neion, while I was also godfather to his child. I am also close to John's only brother, Sergio, who is an executive of Nestle Philippines.

When I learned that his father, Romeo Campos, whom we fondly call Papa Meo, died early this year, I sent condolences and mass cards through my brother-in-law. I learned from John, himself, that the condition of his father worsened after the Senate hearing last year wherein Mary Ong said many nasty things about her former lover.

I have already asked my classmates and other former colleagues in the defunct Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC) and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) to help in the speedy solution of John's murder.

I also request members of the Philippine media to exercise due diligence and not take the statement of Mary Ong as gospel truth since she already has a track record of weaving tales and telling lies just to get back at her supposed enemies. I still believe that majority of media people are still objective and intelligent enough as not to be taken for another ride by a woman called Rosebud.

| Home |