Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato surrendered to authorities at the Manila Police District (MPD)—after a warrant for his arrest was issued, in connection with a charge of frustrated murder.
Jude Sabio, Matobato’s lawyer, said his client already posted a P200,000 bail, as set by Judge Carmelita Sarno-Davin of Digo City, Davao del Sur Regional Trial Court Branch 19.
Matobato is accused as the gunman in the ambush of Abero Salcedo, an agrarian reform official, in October 2014.
Salcedo said he recognized Matobato as his assailant after seeing him on television during the Senate hearings. He also pointed to agrarian reform lawyer Norberto Sinsona as the mastermind.
Matobato said he is ready to be killed inside the prison, and also encouraged other members of the alleged Davao Death Squad (DDS) to come forward.
“Sa akin lang basta matapos ito, handa na ako magpabitay hindi na lang ako magpapakulong dahil kung magpakulong ka aabutan ka dun sa loob ng torture,” Matobato said.
[Translation: Just to end all this, I’m ready to be executed—but I’d rather not go to prison because if you let yourself go to prison, you will get tortured.]
This is already the second arrest order issued against Matobato—his first arrest was for a charge of illegal possession of firearms.
Sabio added, Matobato will fly to the Netherlands by the end of March–to go to the International Criminal Court. The reason? To file a supposedly “long overdue” case against President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity.
Sabio said Duterte will be charged for the rising number of extrajudicial killings in the country, ever since he assumed office.
“Itong kaso sa (International Criminal Court), ito yung nangyayari ngayon na systematic and widespread attack on a portion of the civilian population,” Sabio said.
[Translation: This case at the (ICC), this is for what’s happening today, which is a systematic and widespread attack on a portion of the civilian population.]
The lawyer hopes more witness will come forward, now that retired SPO3 Arthur Lascanas, another self-confessed member of the DDS—has testified at the Senate.
“Dapat magkaroon ng impeachment … Hindi naman pwede na ang isang pangulo natin ay isang killer, mass murderer, psycopath na uupo sa pwesto,” Sabio said.
[Translation: There should be impeachment proceedings. We can’t have a President who is a killer, mass murderer, and psycopath in power.]
