Death squad 'leader' admits hand in killing own brothers

MANILA, Philippines — Retiring SPO3 Arthur Lascañas, self-confessed member of the so-called Davao Death Squad, admitted that he was involved in the killing of his two brothers who were involved in illegal drugs.

At a televised press conference at the Senate compound, Lascañas claimed that he was blinded by his loyalty and obedience to then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

"Dahil po sa my blind loyalty and obedience kay Mayor Duterte at sa kanyang campaign against criminality and illegal drugs dito po nakagawa ako ng isang judgment call that led to the untimely death of my two brothers," a teary-eyed Lascañas said.

The self-confessed hitman said that his two brothers, Cecilio and Fernando, used illegal drugs.

"Tanggap ko po kung anong mangyari sa akin dahil po sa sobra kong loyalty sa kanyang campaign nagawa ko po ito. Sarili kong dalawang kapatid pinapatay ko," Lascañas said.

Lascañas, who earlier denied the existence of the DDS, revealed that he was the only one who knew about his involvement in his brothers' deaths until his public confession on Monday morning.

The self-confessed hitman said that President Rodrigo Duterte was directly involved in the so-called DDS, which executed drug offenders in Davao City.

"Ito pong gagawin kong public confession, ito po ay pagsunod ko sa kagustuhan ng Diyos at labis na takot sa Diyos, pagmamahal sa bansa natin at sa sarili ko pong konsensya," Lascañas said.

Lascañas also revealed that Duterte ordered the killing of broadcaster Jun Pala.

"Sabi ni [SPO4 Sonny Buenaventura] galit na galit si Mayor Rody kay Jun Pala dahil sa araw-araw sa atake sa radio," Lascañas said, adding that the contract to kill the broadcaster was worth P3 million.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar has downplayed the claims of Lascañas and considered it as part of a "demolition job" against the president.

"The press conference of self-confessed hitman SPO3 Arthur Lascañas is part of a protracted political drama aimed to destroy the President and to topple his administration," Andanar said in a statement.