Matobato surrenders before PNP

MANILA, Philippines — Self-confessed Davao Death Squad (DDS) member Edgar Matobato has surrendered to Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Friday.

A Davao City court issued a warrant of arrest against the self-confessed hit man after failing to show up at a scheduled hearing last Tuesday.

Matobato is facing charges for carrying a .45-caliber pistol without a permit on June 19, 2014.

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Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said that Matobato has no intention to skip his arraignment in Davao City.

The senator noted that the hearing in Davao City was set on the same day that the Senate was also scheduled to hold an inquiry into the extrajudicial killings, wherein Matobato is a witness.

"Hindi rin alam ni Mr.Matobato so kaya nga highly suspicious tapos imposible siyang maka-attend doon kasi nga may hearing nung Monday na inabot ng alas onse ng gabi tapos may schedule kami ng hearing dapat alas-9 nang umaga sa Senate din," Trillanes told reporters.

Trillanes said that all legal options are being explored so that Matobato may post bail after surrendering himself before police authorities.

The senator added that he will continue to provide protective custody for the self-confessed hitman if he will be allowed to post bail.

"All the legal options we will exercise that pero 'pag wala na talaga magagawa we will just have to make sure na safe and secure si Mr. Matobato," Trillanes said.

Matobato surrendered to show that he is not running away from the charges filed against him.

"Kailangan niyang pagdaanan ito so pinakita niya na hindi siya tumatakbo at syempre sa mga ganitong mga panahon may mga konting anxiety not knowing kung ano mangyayari pero maganda naman 'yung pagbigay sa atin ng assurance ng PNP na hindi siya masasaktan dito," the senator said.

During the Senate committee on justice inquiry into the rising number of drug-related killings in the country, Matobato testified and claimed that President Rodrigo Duterte founded the DDS in 1988 and ordered the killings of criminals.

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