PNP to present cops mentioned by Matobato as alleged ‘DDS’ members

The Philippine National Police on Friday said the Davao City policemen mentioned by self-confessed hitman and alleged Davao Death Squad member Edgar Matobato will be presented before the Senate committee in the next hearing.

PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the Directorate for Personnel and Resource Management has been directed to contact the PNP personnel and invite them to attend the hearing set on September 28.

“They will be presented, they will be asked to appear in the next inquiry and following the suggestion of the vice chair (Senator Panfilo Lacson) they will be presented in an executive session. Kami po susunod sa ipinag-uutos sa susunod na pagdinig,” Carlos said at a press conference.

Senator Leila de Lima, former chairperson of the Senate justice and human rights committee, requested the Senate panel to extend an invitation to the policemen, whom she identified as the "core group" of the DDS, citing Matobato's testimony last week.

She earlier mentioned several names alleged to be members of the DDS: SPO4 Arthur Lascanas, P/CInsp Jacy “Jay” Francia, P/CInsp Fulgencio Pavo, P/CInsp Ronald Lao, SPO3 Jim Tan, SPO4 Sanson “Sonny” Buenaventura, SPO1 Reynante B. Medina, SPO1 Bienvenido Furog, SPO1 Vivencio “Jun” Jumawan, and SPO2 Enrique “Jun” Delos Reyes Ayao.

Also mentioned were SPO3 Jun Laresma, SPO2 Rizalino “Bobong” G. Aquino, SPO3 Donito “Pogi” Ubales, SPO1 Jun Bisnar, SPO1 Gaston Aquino, P/SSupt Isidero “Dick” Florivel/Florobel, P/SSupt. Rey Capote, P/SSupt Tony Rivera, P/SSupt Dionisio Abude, Bienvenido Laud, Alvin Laud, Roly Engalia, Arnold Ochavez.

The names were based on Matobato's first testimony in the Senate.

Carlos said the PNP-Internal Affairs Service has already initiated validation and verification on the status of the police personnel mentioned by Matobato. 

“Itong IAS, motu proprio, nung nabanggit ang mga pangalan na ito ay they are now conducting their validation,” he said.

He added the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management will also look at the case folder of these police personnel.

“Ano iyong meron sa data that we have submitted sa national headquarters, pwede tayong pumunta sa kung anong hawak nilang case folder kung ano ang naging estado sa pagpatay na naganap doon sa Davao,” he said. 

The Davao City police earlier said eight of the police personnel mentioned by Matobato are still in the active service, two have already been assigned with the Presidential Security Group, eight have already retired, and one is already dead.

Asked if those in active service will be placed on floating status while they are being investigated, Carlos said there is no order yet.

“Darating tayo sa time na iyan, iyong pagbabasehan magkaiba kasi. Kung nahanap na may basehan na and it will stand, we will do the same process. Right now kung meron pang ibang magsabi na itong mga ito involved sa cases, we will recommend that,” he said. 

Lawyer Shella Castillo, head of the IAS Legal Service, said the police personnel earlier mentioned by President Rodrigo Duterte were immediately placed on floating status because prior to the announcement by the president, the Intelliegence Group have already conducted investigations and verifications.

“That’s the difference between mere allegations of Matobato. The situation here is allegations are mere allegations, it didn’t go through thorough investigation and intelligence unlike those on the list of Duterte,” she said. — RSJ, GMA News