New arrest warrant for Lascañas out

DAVAO CITY – A court in this city has issued another warrant of arrest for retired policeman Arturo Lascañas.

Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 4 Judge Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga issued the warrant for the self-confessed member of the so-called Davao death squad (DDS) on June 20 in connection with the killing of suspected terrorist Sali Makdum in 2002. Makdum’s body has yet to be found.

The court did not recommend bail.

Last March 27, another confessed hitman of the DDS Edgar Matobato was ordered arrested over the kidnapping of Makdum on Samal island.

RTC Branch 10 Judge Retrina Fuentes earlier ordered Lascañas arrested for murder and two counts of frustrated murder for attempts on the life of broadcaster Juan “Jun” Pala in June 2002 and April 2003 and his killing on Sept. 6, 2003. No bail was recommended for murder, but the court ordered Lascañas to pay P120,000 each for the two counts of frustrated murder.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II asked the Depart- ment of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to cancel the passport of Lascañas, who has yet to return to the country after he left for Singapore on April 8.

Aguirre said Lascañas “had not shown any intention to return to the country.”

Under Section 4 of Republic Act 8239 or the Passport Act, the DFA may cancel a passport “in the interest of national security, public safety and public health… after due hearing and in their proper discretion.”