Senate probe on killings reset; Davao police linked to death squad invited

The Senate justice committee has decided to reschedule to October its investigation on drug-related killings, panel chair Sen. Richard Gordon said Monday. 

Gordon said the committee secretariat were unable to send notices to Davao City policemen who will be called to the next hearing after being tagged by confessed hitman Edgar Matobato as members of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS). 

“Wala na (hearing on Wednesday) dahil hindi natawagan yung mga pulis eh. Hindi nila alam kung sino tatawagin,” Gordon said in an ambush interview. 

The hearing was initially scheduled to be held on Wednesday, September 28. 

Gordon said he sought the help of Sen. Leila de Lima, former chair of the justice committee until she was ousted last week, to identify the Davao cops. 

“Pumayag naman siya. Siya magdadala ng testigo sa October 3 and 4, and if necessary, a third hearing on October 5,” Gordon said. 

Citing the testimony of Matobato, De Lima requested the justice committee to invite several Davao City policemen identified as the “core group” of the DDS. 

De Lima named the policemen as 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.  — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/RSJ, GMA News