No hold order vs confessed Davao hitman – BI

MANILA, Philippines - Retired Senior Police Officer 3 Arthur Lascañas, who testified on the existence of the Davao death squad (DDS), left the country for Singapore last Saturday afternoon, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed.

BI spokesperson Ma. Antonette Mangrobang said that Lascañas was accompanied by three other persons when he passed through the immigration counter at the Clark International Airport (CIA) in Pampanga at 5:01 p.m. last April 8.

Lascañas was reportedly accompanied by three family members and boarded Tiger Airways flight no. 2703 bound for Singapore. 

Mangrobang said Lascañas also has a return ticket, dated April 22, also via the Clark airport.

Mangrobang explained that their immigration personnel allowed Lascañas to leave the country since “in our immigration record, he has no derogatory record. There is also no hold departure order (HBO) or Immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) issued against him.”

Lascañas, the alleged team leader of the DDS, in his testimony at the Senate public hearing directly linked President Duterte to the killings in Davao City when he was still mayor. 

He alleged that Duterte ordered the killings.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III warned the people yesterday that allowing a whistle-blower – whose credibility remains doubtful – to leave the country was “bad” for the government.

Sotto was referring to Lascañas, who earlier testified in the Senate last March that Duterte was the mastermind of the assassination of broadcaster Jun Pala in 2003 and the killing of hundreds of criminal suspects and opponents when he was mayor of Davao City.

“Bad for the government. He (Lascañas) is supposed to face numerous and serious charges yet he was able to leave,” Sotto said in a text message to reporters.

He said while it was true that no charges have been filed against Lascañas for the alleged killings he admitted to have participated in under Duterte, he was more concerned with the witness’ apparent move to evade scrutiny from the courts and the public.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Lascañas should be sued for perjury.

“It may be worth to find out who spent for his and his family’s trips and accommodations in Singapore, which is an expensive place to stay,” Lacson said.

It was Lacson’s Senate committee on public order and safety that conducted the hearing last March. However, the panel wrapped up the inquiry on Lascañas’ allegations after senators found him not credible.

He said Lascañas’ leaving the country would be taken into account when the panel finalizes its report on the inquiry when Congress resumes session in May. – With Paolo Romero