By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that long before she was elected vice president, then Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte was already included in the list of persons behind the extra-judicial killings (EJKs) of suspected drug addicts and pushers.
This was reiterated by former Davao Senior Police Officer Arturo “Arthur” Lascañas who claimed that he was a member of the dreaded Davao Death Squad (DDS) in his interview with former Inquirer reporter-turned-vlogger Christian Esguerra on Facts First podcast.
To recall, VP Duterte earlier dared Lascañas to sue her as she denied the allegation, which she branded as part of a “script” prepared by her political enemies.
“According to this self-proclaimed witness, I was involved in the Oplan Tokhang of the Davao Death Squad and the several incidents of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in Davao. This script is new,” Duterte said in a video statement posted on her Facebook account last February 1.
But Lascañas sharply retorted the feisty Vice President.
“Dapat malaman ni Mayor Inday Sara na February of 2020 sinama ko na ang pangalan niya sa International Criminal Court sa sinubmit kong 100 (pages) supplemental communication sa katotohanan lang. Hindi pa siya vice president at that time. So, hindi lang niya alam. Ngayon na nalaman nyo na, harapin nyo naman,” Lascañas said.
In earlier interviews, Lascañas accused VP Duterte of orchestrating “Oplan Tokhang” in Davao City during her stint as mayor in 2012.
The former policeman, who claimed to be one of the hitmen of DDS, said he submitted a 186-page affidavit to the ICC, which he said contains information on the alleged killings perpetrated by former President Rodrigo Duterte and the involvement of his daughter, the current Vice President, in the EJKs in Davao City.
“Siya (Sara Duterte) nga ang pasimuno nitong Oplan Tokhang nung naka-upo siya as mayor nung 2012 in-appoint nya si Bato Dela Rosa as Chief of Police ng Davao City,” Lascañas asserted.
“Sinabi sa akin ni Bato Dela Rosa na nag-craft sila ng panibago ngayong extra judicial killing na campaign against illegal drugs which is Toktok Hangyoyo meaning Tokhang,” he further bared.
On the prospect of filing a case against the Dutertes before a Philippine court, Lascañas expressed his strong apprehension.
Claiming that for 20 years he has been with FPRRD, he is well aware of the latter’s “cowardice” though he still wields great influence.
“Matakutin siya (FPRRD) atsaka walang alam sa batas ito,” he told Esguerra of Facts First. “Marami ang kanyang bayad na media sa Davao City. Pasensya na ha?”
“Nandyan pa rin ang impluwensiya niya (FPRRD). Walang hustisya sa Pilipinas except the ICC,” Lascañas concluded.
(el Amigo/Amigo)
