Manero won’t surrender yet

DAVAO CITY – There has been some hitches in the surrender of fugitive priest-killer Norberto Manero Jr.

Manero, who bolted the Sarangani jail last month, is reportedly apprehensive about surrendering due to some problems in the handling of his cases. He had to get a new lawyer after his former counsel, frustrated over his escape, gave up on him.

"Yes, I’ve been talking to him and he really wants to surrender. But it could not be within the next few days," Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza said.

Dureza belied reports that Manero would surrender tomorrow as a present to President Arroyo, who will be celebrating her 54th birthday. — Edith Regalado