Lascañas: Drug lords used death squad as 'foot soldiers'

MANILA, Philippines — Self-confessed hitman Arthur Lascañas on Monday claimed that the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) was used as "foot soldiers" of drug lords.

During the Senate public order committee inquiry, Lascañas recounted his experience as an alleged DDS member.

Lascañas narrated one of their investigation involving Taiwanese nationals which resulted in "collateral damage."

After the operation, then Superintendent Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa purportedly called Lascañas and asked about their findings on the Taiwanese nationals.

"Sabi ko sa kanya wala kami nakuhang drugs... Pagkakaalam namin nag-settle siya ng problem with Charlie Tan kaya lang may dalawang collateral damage," Lascañas told the Senate panel.

Dela Rosa then told Lascañas that the operation was a supposed "elimination of competitors."

The Taiwanese were supposedly the rival of Tan, who is also a drug lord.

"Ang sa isip-isip ko hindi pala lingid sa kaalaman namin nagiging mga foot soldiers kami ng mga drug lord," Lascañas said.

Lascañas also recounted the last operation that he was involved with the so-called DDS, which occurred in 2015.

Last month, Lascañas resurfaced and retracted his denial of the existence of the DDS during previous Senate hearings in October last year.

The self-confessed hitman said that he was forced to deny everything.

Asked about why he suddenly changed his testimony, Lascañas said that he wants to clear his conscience.