PNP allows cops named by Matobato to attend hearing

THE Davao City police officers tagged by witness Edgar Matobato as alleged members of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) can leave anytime soon to attend the Senate inquiry on extrajudicial killings, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 said.

Davao police regional director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan said his office received a memorandum from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Wednesday, directing the region to allow officers named by Matobato to attend the hearing.

“This was the general advice coming from the national headquarters. The advice was that the officers will be summoned individually by the Senate. The one will be summoned ay siyang aatend sa hearing,” Gaerlan said.

He added that only the Senate has the last word as to who will appear before the inquiry on extrajudicial killings since they had the official list of the officers who are allegedly behind the deaths of the suspected criminals in the city.

“We will send notices to the officers who will be summoned by the Senate. Magiging official ang lakad nila as they will attend the inquiry anytime soon. I also instructed my staff to assist them and facilitate their travel to Manila,” he said.

Gaerlan said he also instructed his legal officer to extend legal assistance to those officers who will be called to attend the Senate inquiry. He also said the officers could also have their own lawyer aside from the legal officer of the region.

As to the retired police officers named by Matobato, Gaerlan said, the region has no hold on

them. He added that it would be up to the retired officers whether to attend the inquiry once summoned by the Senate.

There were 20 officers assigned at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) tagged by Matobato as members of the Davao Death Squad (DDS), of which nine of them are still active in the police service.

Still reporting on duty at DCPO are Supt. Antonio E. Rivera, Deputy City Director for Administrations; Toril police station head Chief Insp. Ronald Lao; SPO4 Jim Tan of the Bunawan police; and SPO1 Vivencio Jumawan Jr. of Sta. Ana police along with SPO4 Dionito Ubales of the DCPO Investigation and Detection Management Branch (IDMB). SPO3 Arturo Lascanas of the Bunawan police station is on non-duty status.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Jacy Jay Francia is now with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and PO3 Enrique Ayao has been assigned at the Regional Personnel and Holding Accounting unit (RPHAU).

The other officers tagged by Matobato have already retired from the service including Supt. Dionisio Abude, Sr. Insp. Reynaldo Capote, SPO4 Sanson Buenaventura, SPO2 Beinvenido Furog and SPO2 Rizalino Aquino, while others have died. ICT