In his speech delivered on Monday, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV pursued to have a Senate investigation on President Rodrigo Duterte and his alleged “direct involvement” on the Davao killings throughout his stint as mayor of the city.
In his privilege speech, Trillanes, who had fact-checked the witness’ claims, presented numerous documents which called into question the accusations of other senators regarding Edgar Matobato’s inconsistent testimonies. These documents had proof that Matobato had, indeed, been a part of the heinous crimes division under the Davao City Mayor’s Office. Other evidences revealed the witness’ .45-cal. pistol permit to purchase which was reassigned to him by Arthur Lascanas and had indicated the city mayor’s office address.
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Other disclosed documents that were fact-checked by Trillanes included Matobato’s ID card signed by incumbent Mayor Sara Duterte, payroll with his name on it, job orders signifying he was employed in Davao City’s government up until 2013 under the heinous crimes section, all of which he had claimed previously. He had also made it a point to verify Matobato’s statements such as knowing businessman Richard King through a woman and even showed a video of the President stating that the possible reason behind King’s murder was a love triangle. Trillanes also pointed out that PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa acknowledged that he has heard of Matobato’s reputation as a hit man in Davao.
Trillanes has voiced out that, “We are faced with a very frightening prospect, that of having a mass murderer as president of the country.” This bold statement has earned disapproval from a number of members in the Senate such as Alan Peter Cayetano and Richard Gordon, the latter stating that the term mass murderer should be directed to the likes of Hitler and Stalin which led to a heated debate.
To resolve the matter at hand, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III has called for a votation on the motion of having Trillanes’ privilege speech raised to the blue ribbon committee, which resulted to its referral to the committee on rules.
Sources: (gmanetwrok.com, newsinfo.inquirer.net)
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