NBI ordered to coordinate with Interpol for Lascañas arrest

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has tapped the National Bureau of Investigation to coordinate with the International Police Organization for the arrest of self-confessed death squad leader and retired police officer Arturo Lascañas.

"In the interest of service and pursuant to the provisions of the existing laws, you are hereby DIRECTED to coordinate with the International Police Organization or INTERPOL to gather information on the location and whereabouts of Arturo Lascañas and to coordinate with the proper authorities for his apprehension," Aguirre wrote in a memorandum addressed to NBI Director Dante Gierran.

The memorandum was issued on June 8, two days after the Davao City Regional Trial Court has released a warrant of arrest against Lascañas. The warrant has yet to be issued.

In the warrant of arrest signed by Davao RTC Branch 10 Presiding Judge Retrina Fuentes, the authorities were commanded to look for Lascañas in Roseville Subdivision, Buhangin, Davao City, or wherever he may be found in the Philippines.

Prior to the release of warrant of arrest, Lascañas last April 8 went to Singapore for a supposed vacation. Reports said he was supposed to return on April 22 but the Bureau of Immigration said he hasn't arrived in the country yet as of April 24.

Lascañas is accused of attempted murder in connection with broadcaster Jun Pala's death.

Pala was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle while walking home from work on Sept. 6, 2003 but Lascañas claimed it was then Davao City Mayor now President Rodrigo Duterte who ordered the killing of Pala.

Lascañas said it took the death squad three attempts between 2002 and 2003 before the hired guns were able to kill the radio personality.

Widow of Jun, Louise Aguirre Pala, filed the complaint against Lascañas.