Edgar Matobato (PHOTO C/O PNP PIO)
Confessed assassin Edgar Matobato was freed from detention at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center on Friday after posting bail before a Quezon City court.
Matobato was granted temporary liberty after posting P30,000 bail bond before Executive Judge Bernelito Fernandez of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 97.
According to Matobato’s counsel Jude Sabio, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV sent his staff to fetch Matobato at the custodial center. Based on the PNP’s logbook, Matobato left at 3:22 p.m.
LOOK: Matobato at CIDG after court orders arrest
A Davao City court issued an arrest warrant for Matobato over an illegal possession of firearms case filed in 2014 when he was caught carrying a .45-cal. pistol without license.
He was freed on bail in June 2014 but was rearrested for failing to show up in his arraignment on Tuesday last week.
Matobato, accompanied by Trillanes, surrendered to PNP chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Oct. 7 as his lawyer filed a bail petition in Davao.
READ: ‘Nobody will touch Matobato’–Dela Rosa
Asked who helped Matobato raise money for the bail, Sabio said he was helped by “individuals and persons who are concerned (about) Matobato.”
Trillanes earlier said that he would continue giving protection to Matobato should the latter be released from police custody.
The Davao court set Matobato’s arraignment on Nov. 3.
Matobato is a self-confessed hitman and member of the alleged Davao Death Squad who has accused President Duterte and several police officials of ordering and carrying out more than 1,000 killings in Davao City.