Councilor J. Melchor Quitain, Jr. on Tuesday said no court will give credence to retired policeman Arthur Lascañas who claimed to have led the Davao Death Squad that was linked to purported extra-judicial killings in Davao City when President Duterte was still mayor.
“His credibility is negative and whatever he says in court will not be given credence,” Quitain told reporters covering the regular session of the City Council.
With him was Councilor Marissa S. Abella, chair of the committee on agriculture, who shared her colleague’s sentiments.
Quitain, the chair of ethics and good governance, said that Lascanas is liable to be charged for perjury after having testified months earlier at the Senate that the so-called Death Squad was media hype.
“In addition, the relatives of those whom he claimed to have killed could file the appropriate cases against him if they wanted to,” he said.
During the Senate hearing on extra-judicial killings in October last year, Lascanasand several police officers from Davao City fielded questions from several senators, including Sen. Leila de Lima.
In those hearings, Lascanas has denied the claims of one Edgar Matobato that pointed to several EJK cases in the city. On Monday, Lascañas did a turn-around, claiming that the death squad existed and that among other things, it was also responsible for the killing of radioman Juan Porras Pala, supposedly on orders of then Mayor Duterte.
But Quitain is convinced no one will believe Lascañas this time around, adding that people is not taking him (Lascañas) seriously.
“Many who have seen how this city flourished under Mayor Duterte
He dismissed Lascañas’ revelations as another trial by publicity by those out to destroy President Duterte.
He also ruled out comparisons between President and late President Marcos.
“Marcos had been accused of plunder not Duterte,” he said, adding that comparing the two is a figment of some people’s imagination.
Quitain said the so-called existence of extra-judicial killings has yet to be proved in court.
