By Beatrice Puente
(February 1, 2024) – In yet another heavy allegation, a self-confessed former hitman of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) accused Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio of starting Oplan Tokhang in Davao City, which allegedly led to the killings and disappearance of thousands of individuals.
Arturo Lascañas further claimed that Duterte-Carpio worked with Sen. Bato Dela Rosa in carrying out this violent campaign in their hometown when she was still mayor and the latter was still a city police chief. Duterte-Carpio served as mayor of Davao City from 2010 to 2013 and from 2016 to 2022.
“Nag-imbento talaga siya ng trademark ng extrajudicial killings in the name of Tokhang at dito pinayagan niya si (then) Police Col. Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa na i-impose ito sa Davao City,” said Lascañas in an online interview with the media.
Lascañas claimed that the victim count at the Laud Quarry, which allegedly became the mass grave of DDS, was around 3,000 but the total in the city was at 10,000.
“Mga target personalities sa illegal drugs—lalo pa ang mga gumagamit ng shabu at nagbebenta. Sabi niya, kidnapin ninyo, ilubog ninyo ang target para ang kaso missing person lang,” said Lascañas, whose location was not disclosed.
Duterte-Carpio has yet to comment on the latest claims of Lascañas, who first surfaced in 2021. He submitted an affidavit to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and made revelations about the brutal war on drugs of Duterte-Carpio’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. Lascañas was granted limited immunity by the ICC.
Duterte-Carpio has repeatedly denied that she had a hand in DDS. She earlier vowed to face the accusations against her before a local court, reiterating her position against cooperating with the ICC.
“Hindi po ako lalahok o magiging parte sa isang prosesong hindi lamang magsasadlak sa kahihiyan sa bansa kundi dudurog din sa dignidad ng ating mga huwes, korte, at buong justice system ng Pilipinas,” said Duterte-Carpio.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa, also the first Philippine National Police chief of Duterte, brushed off Lascañas’ allegations.
“Pabayaan mo lang siya. Mag-allege lang siya nang mag-allege. Basta malinis ang konsensya ko,” claimed Dela Rosa. “Bahala siya sa buhay niya.”
Dela Rosa was known as the “chief implementer” of Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, which led to 30,000 killings, according to human rights organizations.
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, an ally of the Dutertes and Dela Rosa, said the people must not believe the claims of Lascañas.
“Wala nang kredibilidad itong si Lascañas simula’t mula,” said Roque. “Kapag ang kaso’y criminal, hindi puwedeng laway lamang (ang ebidensya). Dapat diyan merong corroboration.”
Lascañas, on the other hand, urged President Bongbong Marcos Jr. not to trust the Dutertes.
“Mag-ingat po at huwag magkumpyansa sa halimaw ng Davao na si Rodrigo Roa Duterte at ‘yan allegedly, Vice President Sara ‘Tambaloslos’ Duterte,” said Lascañas. “Mga traydor po ang mga ito.”
(PM)
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