Retired Philippine policeman says Duterte ordered 'death squad' hits

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters


Mon Feb 20, 2017 | 4:25pm IST

By Karen Lema and Neil Jerome Morales | MANILA

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte operated a "death squad" while mayor of Davao city, giving cash and orders for police and assassins to murder criminals, according to a former policeman who said he was involved in the clandestine killings.

In remarks contradicting his denial under oath last year of the existence of such a "death squad", Arturo Lascanas said he was one of the ringleaders of the group that began operating when Duterte became mayor of the southern city in 1988.

Duterte has repeatedly denied involvement in vigilantism or summary executions, either as president or during his 22 years as Davao mayor. His police chief has denied there was ever a death squad in Davao, describing it as fiction created by the media.

On Monday, Lascanas asserted that the Davao death squad was no myth and he was one of those who carried out secret killings of drug dealers and criminals at Duterte's behest. "It is true, the Davao death squad, or DDS, really exists," Lascanas told reporters at the Senate in Manila.


Read more: http://in.reuters.com/article/philippines-drugs-idINKBN15Z0CL

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Duterte was recorded claiming at least 3 killings personally while mayor.

I heard it on a radio documentary.