Kin skeptical over Duterte's alleged involvement in Jun Bersabal-killing

The family of Gaudencio "Jun" Bersabal, a victim of the alleged Davao Death Squad (DDS), was not convinced that President Rodrigo Duterte was involved in the murder.

"Hindi naman natin alam kung anong balak ni Matobato, bakit pa niya idadamay.... yung presidente?" said Jun's daughter, Juvielyn Bersabal, on GMA News TV program "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho" on Friday.

Retired police officer Arthur Lascañas revealed earlier that the president, a former mayor of Davao City, ordered Jun's killing.

The Bersabal family, while still hoping that those involed in Jun's killing in 1997 would be brought to justice, were nevertheless worried that filing a case would cost too much money.

"Ano bang magagawa naming mahihirap kung ipagpatuloy namin yung paglaban sa kaso?" Juvielyn said. "Naka-focus na kami sa kapatid namin kasi that time na narinig niya 'yung balita, naano siya, nagkamental disorder siya."

Bersabal's son, Jomar, who was nine years old when his father was killed, was so upset by self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato's Senate testimony that the DDS existed that he had to be confined in a mental hospital for two months.

Lascañas admitted to once being part of the DDS, saying Duterte paid up to P100,000 for each drug suspect killed.

Lascañas even claimed killing an entire family in General Santos City and that he was hired by Duterte to assassinate radio broadcaster Jun Pala in 2003. — Anna Felicia Bajo/DVM, GMA News