Former DDS hit men will testify against Duterte

Edgar Matobato and Arturo Lascañas, former hit men for the Davao Death Squad, are expected to be key witnesses in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Their testimonies could provide crucial insights into the operations of the DDS, which Duterte allegedly established while he was the mayor of Davao City. Matobato has openly claimed he was involved in numerous killings as part of the DDS. He testified in a Senate investigation in 2016 that Duterte instructed the group to eliminate criminals. Matobato has stated that he killed around 50 people before leaving the group in 2013. After experiencing threats and being unable to find protection, he eventually moved to Manila seeking safety. Lascañas also worked closely with the DDS during Duterte’s mayoral term. He planned operations for the group and has confessed to killing around 200 people over two decades. He has described receiving large sums of money to fund these operations. After suffering health issues, he decided to reveal the truth about his past, stating he felt compelled to share his experience instead of taking it to the grave. Both men have had troubled paths following their involvement with the DDS. Matobato initially faced legal issues after his Senate testimony and later went into hiding. Lascañas retracted his earlier denials of wrongdoing out of fear for his family's safety. He has since provided testimony to ICC investigators about the involvement of Duterte in the DDS's activities. Their statements are expected to hold significant weight in the ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity linked to Duterte's administration.