‘Davao Death Squad exists’ and ex-cop’s other recantations

Four months after he faced the Senate probe on extrajudicial killings, retired Davao City police officer Arthur Lascañas on Monday made a complete turnaround from his earlier testimony denying the existence of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS).

Lascañas claimed that the DDS existed, and that it was responsible for several killings in Davao City upon the orders of then Davao City Mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte. He said Duterte paid up to P100,000 per drug suspect killed.

What convinced him to tell the truth? Lascañas said it was his conscience and love for country.

“Mamatay man ako o papatayin ako, kontento na’ko na nagawa ang promise ko sa Diyos na magsagawa ng isang public confession,” Lascañas said.

Here are the key retractions Lascañas made during his press conference with lawyers of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG).—with reports from GMA News Research/NB, GMA News