DOJ drops Davao death squad probe

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dropped its investigation on the alleged unexplained killings of the Davao death squad (DDS) and its links to presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte.

According to a report from The STAR, the witness is no longer under government custody.

JUST IN: DOJ drops probe on Davao Death Squad, says witness now dropped from witness protection @PhilippineStar

— Edu Punay (@edupunay) May 20, 2016

Earlier this month, the DOJ confirmed that it is conducting an investigation on the Duterte-linked DDS.

Former Justice Secretary and senator-elect Leila de Lima earlier condemned Duterte for summary executions and the death squad.

READ: De Lima to oppose Duterte's 'anti-human rights' policies

De Lima, however, did not confirm if she will call for a Senate probe on the DDS and its links to Duterte.

Last year, international group Human Rights Watch called for an investigation on Duterte and his endorsement of killing criminal suspects as a crime-fighting strategy. —Patricia Lourdes Viray

READ:  Int'l group wants probe into Duterte, 'death squad'