The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights will again hold a three-day marathon hearing on extrajudicial killings this week, vice chairperson Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said yesterday.
Lacson said he presumes Sen. Richard J. Gordon, panel chairperson, wants to hold a three-day marathon hearing to expedite the investigation and end it at the soonest possible time.
“I think he wants to finish it so a committee report can be drafted early. That might be his objective,” said Lacson in an interview over radio DZBB.
Nevertheless, Lacson said the panel is ready to take up where it left off. He said the panel has plans to invite other alleged members of the Davao Death Squad that whistleblower Edgar Matobato had earlier revealed to former committee chairperson Sen. Leila M. de Lima.
Matobato said President Duterte recruited him to be part of the DDS. It was also Duterte, Matobato said, who ordered the brutal killing of several personalities in Davao City.
Matobato identified the alleged members of the DDS as SPO4 Arthur Lascanas, Chief Insp. Jacy “Jay” Francia, Chief Insp. Fulgencio Pavo, Chief Insp. Ronald Lao, SPO3 Jim Tan, SPO4 Sanson “Sonny” Buenaventura, SPO1 Reynante B. Medina, SPO1 Bienvenido Furog, SPO1 Vivencio “Jun” Jumawan, SPO2 Enrique “Jun” delos Reyes Ayao, SPO3 Jun Laresma, SPO2 Rizalino “Bobong” G. Aquino, SPO3 Donito “Pogi” Ubales, SPO1 Jun Bisnar, SPO1 Gaston Aquino, Senior Supt Isidero “Dick” Florivel/Florobel, Senior Supt. Rey Capote, Senior Supt. Tony Rivera, and Senior Supt Dionisio Abude, and civilians Bienvenido Laud, Alvin Laud, Roly Engalia, and Arnold Ochavez.
Once they have called them to testify before the Senate panel, Lacson said they would ask them whether they prefer to testify in an executive session or in a public hearing. (Hannah L. Torregoza)