With the logo of the ‘Be Not Afraid’ movement behind him, Sen. Panfilo Lacson speaks during the launching of the movement in this June 23, 2005 file photo. (AP)

The Manila Regional Trial Court on Friday issued a warrant of arrest against Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the alleged mastermind in the killing of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emanuel Corbito in 2000, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said.

“He is no longer considered a tourist, but a fugitive already. Now that the warrant of arrest has been issued, the law will be running after him. The National Bureau of Investigation will serve the warrant of arrest. If it is true that he is out of the country, we may have to pursue other ways,” said Devanadera.

The NBI, for its part, said Lacson is not in Australia, China, and the United States as the bureau started coordinating with foreign counterparts to trace the fugitive lawmaker’s whereabouts.

Lawyer Ricardo Diaz, chief of the NBI Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), said the bureau started coordinating with its foreign counterparts, including the International Police (Interpol) because of the senator’s declaration that he was no longer going back to the country.

“The Interpol started helping us in monitoring but with the issuance of a warrant of arrest, the Interpol’s so called cells or groupings will be tapped anytime now to help trace whereabouts of the subject,” Diaz said.

The Senator will be placed in the red notice anytime now. The intelligence network will definitely help out to trace him,” he said.

Diaz described the task as a sort of hide-and-seek.

“The senator is a former PNP (Philippine National Police) chief and he knows better. This will be a sort of hide-and-seek. He knows where he will go,” Diaz said.

“He left for Hong Kong but he can go to other Asian countries that do not require visas. But the moment he is placed in the red notice, the intelligence network starts tracing his whereabouts,” he said.

The NBI official said initial verification with counterparts showed that Lacson was not in Australia, China or the US.

“The last time he was in Australia was in 2008. He has no US visa after Michael Ray Aquino’s conviction in the US for spying,” he said.

There were also reports that Lacson frequently traveled to Taiwan.

Lacson’s lawyer said they will file a motion for reconsideration before the Manila RTC once they receive a copy of the arrest order.

“As soon as we receive the order, we will file a motion for reconsideration preparatory to elevating it to higher court,” lawyer Alex Poblador said in a text message.

In the meantime, he said they will file a petition asking Judge Myra Fernandez that the serving of the warrant of arrest be deferred until their motion is heard and resolved.

According to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the application for leave filed by Lacson stated that he was leaving for Hong Kong. He said the Senate would not obstruct in the service of the warrant for Lacson.

“We cannot interfere with the enforcement of his arrest warrant because that is the function of our judicial system,’’ he said.

Lacson slipped out of the country last January 5, three days before the DoJ recommended the filing of murder charges against him.

The Senate chief reiterated his position that Lacson does not enjoy parliamentary immunity if the penalty of the charge is more than six years.

Meanwhile, retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said he met with Lacson in Intramuros, Manila, days before the latter left the country. He said the senator spoke of his plans to leave.

“I just listened to him and I believed him. I know for a fact that he is not a coward,” Cruz said in an interview. “I don’t think he’s capable of doing what he’s being accused of. He is just afraid because the administration has been harassing him.” (With reports from Mario Casayuran Hannah L. Torregoza and Leslie Ann G. Aquino)