Retired police official denies being part of Davao Death Squad

A former police official in Davao City denied being part of the infamous Davao Death Squad (DDS) after he was named by self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato in a Senate hearing.

In a Balita Pilipinas report on Friday, retired Police Superintendent Dionisio Abude said he was surprised that Sen. Leila de Lima cited his name among the Davao policemen that Matobato linked to the DDS.

Abude said he knew Matobato when the hitman sought help from the police in 1992, claiming rebels were after him.

The retired police official, however, added that Matobato never went with them on any police operation.

"Baka pumunta sa opisina kaya siguro familiar siya," Abude said in the vernacular.

The report also quoted the Philippine National Police as saying they will present the other officials named by Matobato.

Out of the 19 police officials he identified, 10 are still in service, eight have retired, and one already passed away.

Eight of those in active service are with the Davao City police, while the other two are with the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

The PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management is still looking into the case folders of those officials.

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.

Aside from Abude, Matobato also mentioned:

• 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,
• Bienvenido Laud,
• Alvin Laud,
• Roly Engalia,
• Arnold Ochavez.

The names were based on Matobato's first testimony in the Senate. — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/VVP, GMA News