Matobato testimony on ‘DDS’ not enough to file raps vs cops—PNP

Witness Edgar Matobato during the Senate probe on the alleged extrajudicial killings at the Senate in Pasay City.
INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

The Philippine National Police on Thursday said it cannot file charges against cops linked to the alleged vigilante Davao Death Squad (DDS) based on the testimony of self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato alone.

PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the credibility of Matobato’s claims remains questionable without corroboration from other witnesses, adding that the police could not act on the claims without solid evidence.

Matobato claimed that some members of the police force were ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte to kill people when he was still the Davao City mayor.

READ: ‘Duterte ordered us to kill’

“If there’s a basis for investigation, that’s our mandate. Kaya nga ho ang ating laging tinitingnan eh meron ho ba tayong affidavit, statements, sworn statements o evidence na magtutukoy who will corroborate the statement made by one person? Tatayo ho ba ‘yung kaso sa pamamagitan lang ng ibinigay na pangalan sa isang inquiry?” Carlos said in an interview at Camp Crame.

(What we’ll look into is if we have affidavits, statements, sworn statements or evidence that can point to who can corroborate the statement made by one person. Can the case stand on just a name given in an inquiry?)

Carlos said the PNP will soon get the background of the cops who were allegedly members of the death squad.

During her privilege speech at the Senate, ousted committee on justice and human rights chair Senator Leila De Lima read a list of names of PNP members involved in the killings in Davao City. The following cops were: Chief Inspector Jacy Jay Franca, Chief Inspector Ronald Lao, SPO4 Arthur Lascanas, SPO3 Jim Tan, SPO4 Samson “Sonny” Buenaventura, SPO1 Reynante Medina, SPO1 Bienvenvenido Furog, SPO1 Vivencio “Jun” Junawan, SPO2 Enrique “Jun” Delos Reyes Ayao, SPO3 Jun Laresma, SPO2 Rizalino “Bobong” Aquino, SPO3 Donito “Pogi” Ubales, SPO1 Jun Bisnar, SPO1 Gaston Aquino, Senior Superindent Isidero “Dick” Florivel/Florobel, Senior Superintendent Rey Capote, Senior Superintendent Tony Rivera, Senior Superintendent Dionisio Abude, Bienvenido Laud, Alvin Laud, Roly Engalia and Arnold Ochavez.

But the spokesperson reiterated PNP chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s denial of the existence of the DDS.

“Unang-una sabi nga ni Chief PNP ay wala namang Davao Death Squad. Kung ‘yung mga binitawang mga pangalan ng mga testigo eh titignan po natin if they are still in the service (The PNP chief has said there’s no Davao Death Squad. The names given by the witnesses will be looked into to see if they are still in service),” Carlos said. JE