De Lima: Lascanas testimony strengthens case vs Duterte
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De Lima: Lascanas testimony strengthens case vs Duterte
Dharel Placido,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 20, 2017 04:26 PM PHT
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Updated Feb 21, 2017 11:12 AM PHT

MANILA – The testimony of a cop with alleged close ties to President Rodrigo Duterte would ultimately pin the latter to the killings of the so-called “Davao Death Squad,” Senator Leila de Lima said.
MANILA – The testimony of a cop with alleged close ties to President Rodrigo Duterte would ultimately pin the latter to the killings of the so-called “Davao Death Squad,” Senator Leila de Lima said.
De Lima said the statements of retired SPO3 Arthur Lascañas, who claimed on Monday that the Davao Death Squad (DDS) killed people on orders of then-Davao City Mayor Duterte, strengthens the case against the president.
De Lima said the statements of retired SPO3 Arthur Lascañas, who claimed on Monday that the Davao Death Squad (DDS) killed people on orders of then-Davao City Mayor Duterte, strengthens the case against the president.
She said, unlike another self-confessed DDS hitman Edgar Matobato, Lascañas was closer to the long-time Davao City mayor.
She said, unlike another self-confessed DDS hitman Edgar Matobato, Lascañas was closer to the long-time Davao City mayor.
“Oh yes, definitely, derecho. Kasi remember Mr. Edgar Matobato, karamihan ng mga pinapagawa sa kanila na mga killing assignments, karamihan dumadaan either or both kay Lascañas or kay [SPO4 Sonny] Buenaventura,” De Lima told reporters.
“Oh yes, definitely, derecho. Kasi remember Mr. Edgar Matobato, karamihan ng mga pinapagawa sa kanila na mga killing assignments, karamihan dumadaan either or both kay Lascañas or kay [SPO4 Sonny] Buenaventura,” De Lima told reporters.
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“Iyan daw ang mga close kay dating Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Sila ang mas maraming alam tungkol sa Davao Death Squad.”
“Iyan daw ang mga close kay dating Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Sila ang mas maraming alam tungkol sa Davao Death Squad.”
(Yes, it directly links him. Remember, Mr. Edgar Matobato said he only received kill orders from Duterte relayed by either Lascañas or SPO4 Sonny Buenaventura. These two are said to be the closest to former Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. They know much more about the Davao Death Squad.)
(Yes, it directly links him. Remember, Mr. Edgar Matobato said he only received kill orders from Duterte relayed by either Lascañas or SPO4 Sonny Buenaventura. These two are said to be the closest to former Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. They know much more about the Davao Death Squad.)
Lascañas earlier appeared in a Senate hearing to refute Matobato’s allegation, calling the DDS only a product of media hype.
Lascañas earlier appeared in a Senate hearing to refute Matobato’s allegation, calling the DDS only a product of media hype.
De Lima said Lascañas’ sudden U-turn should warrant a new Senate investigation into the existence of the death squad.
De Lima said Lascañas’ sudden U-turn should warrant a new Senate investigation into the existence of the death squad.
“Tama si Matobato. As I’ve been saying, totoo ang sinabi ni Matobato. Nilait-lait nila si Matobato. Kinwestyon nila ang credibility. Ako rin nilait-lait nila for producing Matobato and here comes this very, very explosive development from Mr. Lascañas,” she said.
“Tama si Matobato. As I’ve been saying, totoo ang sinabi ni Matobato. Nilait-lait nila si Matobato. Kinwestyon nila ang credibility. Ako rin nilait-lait nila for producing Matobato and here comes this very, very explosive development from Mr. Lascañas,” she said.
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(Matobato was right all along. As I’ve been saying, Matobato is telling the truth. They even shamed him and questioned his credibility. Even I was not spared from insults for producing Matobato as witness, and here comes this very, very explosive development from Mr. Lascañas.)
(Matobato was right all along. As I’ve been saying, Matobato is telling the truth. They even shamed him and questioned his credibility. Even I was not spared from insults for producing Matobato as witness, and here comes this very, very explosive development from Mr. Lascañas.)
De Lima, as former chair of the Senate justice committee, had sought to probe the spate of extra-judicial killings linked to Duterte’s war on drugs.
De Lima, as former chair of the Senate justice committee, had sought to probe the spate of extra-judicial killings linked to Duterte’s war on drugs.
During the series of hearings, De Lima presented Matobato, who claimed he killed on orders of Duterte.
During the series of hearings, De Lima presented Matobato, who claimed he killed on orders of Duterte.
Amid the controversy created by Matobato’s testimony, Duterte’s allies in Senate, led by Senator Manny Pacquiao, ousted De Lima as chair of the justice committee.
Amid the controversy created by Matobato’s testimony, Duterte’s allies in Senate, led by Senator Manny Pacquiao, ousted De Lima as chair of the justice committee.
De Lima’s ouster prompted Senator Richard Gordon to take over the committee.
De Lima’s ouster prompted Senator Richard Gordon to take over the committee.
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De Lima and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, another staunch critic of the Duterte administration, were dismayed by the findings of the Gordon-led committee, which said that the extra-judicial killings in the country are not state-sponsored.
De Lima and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, another staunch critic of the Duterte administration, were dismayed by the findings of the Gordon-led committee, which said that the extra-judicial killings in the country are not state-sponsored.
The justice committee also recommended the filing of charges against Matobato.
The justice committee also recommended the filing of charges against Matobato.
Read More:
Leila de Lima
Arthur Lascanas
Rodrigo Duterte
davao death squad
DDS
murder
extra-judicial killing
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