Lacson to lead Senate probe on Lascañas’ claims

MANILA -Senator Panfilo Lacson confirmed yesterday that the committee on public order and dangerous drugs, which he chairs, will be tasked to handle the probe on retired police officer Arthur Lascañas’ claims that President Rodrigo Duterte is the alleged brains behind the Davao Death Squad (DDS).

Lacson said he has no option but to conduct the hearing since majority of the senators wanted to hear Lascañas’ version of the story.

The senator said he will also invite then-Davao City police chief Willy Garcia to testify before the investigating body.

Garcia led the Davao City police when broadcaster Jun Pala was murdered allegedly upon orders of Duterte, when he was mayor of the city.

On Tuesday, 10 senators voted to uphold the referral of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to have Lacson’s committee handle the investigation.

Those who supported Trillanes’ manifestation were Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Leila De Lima, Risa Hontiveros, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Joel Villanueva, Juan Edgardo Angara, Francis Escudero, and Ralph Recto.

Those who voted against were Senators Richard Gordon, Cynthia Villar, Sherwin Gatchalian, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Manny Pacquiao, and JV Ejercito.

Meanwhile, those who abstained were Senators Lacson, Nancy Binay, Loren Legarda, Vicente Sotto III, and Gregorio Honasan.

Lascañas admitted that he lied in the investigation last year because of the threat to the safety of his family.