Davao RTC issues arrest warrant vs Lascañas

MANILA, Philippines — The Davao City Regional Trial Court has issued a warrant of arrest against self-confessed killer and death squad leader Arturo Lascañas, a retired police officer.

“You are hereby commanded to arrest ARTURO BARIQUIT LASCANAS, who is said to be found at Roseville Subdivision, Buhangin, Davao City, or wherever he may be found in the Philippines and who has been charged before me with the offense of ATTEMPTED MURDER and bring him forth before me to be dealt with according to law,” the Davao RTC Branch 10’s warrant of arrest read.

The warrant of arrest was signed by Davao RTC Branch 10 Presiding Judge Retrina Fuentes. It was issued following the filing of a complaint by Louise Aguirre Pala, the widow of slain broadcaster Jun Pala.

The RTC said that the bond for the release of the accused is fixed at P120,000.

Last week, the Davao City prosecutor's office reportedly filed charges against Lascañas based on his testimony at the Senate hearing, where he admitted that he was part of and was one of the leaders of the so-called Davao Death Squad, which President Rodrigo Duterte allegedly formed in his early days as mayor.

Lascañas has since been accused of attempted murder in connection with the killing of Jun Pala in 2003. The former earlier claimed Duterte had a hand in the killing of the broadcaster who criticized his local governance.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV earlier said the charges against Lascañas are a form of harassment by the Duterte government.

On Sept. 6, 2003, Pala was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle while walking home from work.

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

Lascañas said he was first tapped by fellow cop Sonny Buenaventura to wipe out Jun for P3 million, while SP01 Jim Tan supplied him with help.

He had told a Senate panel in October 2016 that the Davao Death Squad did not exist and said it was all just "media hype" but recanted in February of this year. 

Lascañas said that he decided to make a public confession due to his conscience and to signal the end of his "blind obedience and loyalty" to Duterte.