'We are confident of an arrest,' lawyer says on wanted Tan bros
The private lawyer for the prosecution panel of the celebrated Tan massacre expressed confidence on the arrest of murder suspects Archie and Jan Michael Tan even as fears heighten that the duo has left the country.
With the "hold-order request" for the suspects' departure outside the Philippines still awaiting approval, noted Ilonggo lawyer Cornelio Panes, one of the counsels on record for the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said "we are confident of an arrest" This, Panes added though with a quick "if they are still here" comment.
"The hold-order petition has been forwarded and we are also confident it will be granted. We have done everything that was within the legal option available to us just as they (referring to the suspects) have also done the same. Now the arrest warrant has been issued. Again, we are confident of an arrest," Panes continued.
Reports disclosed of Tan brothers' sighting in a plush hotel in Metro Manila last Thursday. The duo was said to have been in company of a woman believed to be a relative.
Archie and younger brother Jan Michael stand accused for the grissly killing of their father, Filipino-Chinese businessman Francisco "Bobby" Tan, stepmother Cindy Zayco and stepsister, 6 year-old Katherine.
The CIDG has since worked on strengthening the case which has dragged for over a year without indictment.
The Tan killings near its 16th month with the surviving Tan children now in the custody of the maternal side of the family.