Pimentel rejects bid to place Matobato under protective custody

SENATE President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has rejected a request to place a witness and self-confessed hitman, Edgar Matobato, under the custody of the Senate.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV disclosed this just hours after he made a motion during this Thursday’s hearing of the Senate committees on justice and human rights, and public order to provide protective custody for Matobato, who claimed to be a former member of the Davao Death Squad.

After granting the motion, Senator Leila de Lima, chair of the justice committee, made the formal request to Pimentel.

But Trillanes said the Senate leader turned down the request.

“Senator Pimentel’s office has just informed us that he has denied the committee’s request for Senate custody of Mr. Edgar Matobato,” he said in a text message to reporters.

Because of this, Trillanes promised to protect the witness.

“Hindi namin sya pababayaan,” Trillanes said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said Matobato would have to rely on his “handlers” now that the chamber has rejected to give him custody.

“It’s water under the bridge. Matobato will have to rely on his handlers to secure him,” Lacson said in a separate text message.

It was de Lima, who presented the witness during this Thursday’s hearing.

In his testimony, Matobato tagged President Rodrigo Duterte behind the killings of several people in Davao City when he was still the mayor there.