‘Davao Death Squad’ men, CHR summoned to Senate probe on Sept. 28

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016:  Lone witness Edgar Matobato testifies during the hearing on extrajudicial killings of drug suspects at the Senate Session Hall.  INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON

MANILA — The Senate committee on justice and human rights has set its next hearing of the alleged extrajudicial killings of drug suspects in the ongoing government war on drugs on Sept. 28.

This was announced by the committee chair, Sen. Richard Gordon, after the suspension Thursday night of his committee hearing. Gordon said he would hold two or three more hearings before concluding its inquiry.

To be invited to the next hearing are officials and witnesses of the Commission on Human Rights as well as the alleged 23 members of the Davao Death Squad, mostly policemen, identified by confessed hitman Edgar Maboto as his cohorts in executing criminals in Davao City, allegedly on orders from President Duterte when he was still mayor of Davao City.

Summoned to the hearing was SPO4 Arturo Lascañas whom Matobato said was the leader of the death squad.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said senators would hold a caucus on Monday (Sept. 26) to talk about how to go about in dealing with the alleged DDS members. He had proposed to hold an executive session to hear their testimony.  SFM