An objective, closer look
First, it was Edgar Matobato. Now, we have SPO3 Arthur Lascañas, doing a complete turnaround from his previous testimonies at the Senate hearing on extrajudicial killings (EJK) last October, confirming the existence of the "Davao Death Squad", his involvement and that of then Mayor Duterte. Lascañas further details how they were paid per target, with the amount depending on the target as well. He implicates Duterte as the one who ordered the assassination of Jun Pala, a known critic of Duterte in Davao City. His biggest confession was his hand in having two of his brothers killed. Both were into drugs, and his "blind loyalty and obedience" to Duterte led to their deaths.
According to FLAG (Free Legal Assistance Group), Lascañas freely approached them and asked that he be represented by FLAG. It is not surprising that Lascañas' statements are now being treated as hearsay and lies since he already stated, under oath, that the DDS does not exist. Sen. Gordon has already said that he has no intention of having another Senate investigation into the EJK and DDS, since it has already been done. How will the public know which if Lasacañas' testimonies are true?
This would be his problem, credibility. Allies of the administration have wasted no time in dismissing his statements, calling them hearsay. But many of his statements coincide with those of Matobato's, lending some to believe that this time, he is telling the truth. What Lascañas needs to do is present more concrete and tangible evidence of his allegations. If he truly wants to "redeem himself" it should not be too hard for him to produce them, being part of the so-called inner circle of the DDS. His credibility and even his person will definitely be discredited, not to mention the accusations of the whole thing being politically motivated, even the timing of the revelations are already being questioned, as the arrest of Sen. Leila de Lima looms.
The next question is what should be done with all of Lascañas and even Matobato's revelations? Will cases be filed? Will an impeachment case against Duterte even prosper? Right now, that's all they are, accusations. I guess it all depends on what side of the political fence you are on. But now that we have two persons confirming the existence and the crimes of the DDS, and the fact that this issue just won't go away, even strengthened by similarities on how the bloody war on drugs is being conducted, I believe it deserves a more objective, closer look.
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