Lascañas arrest warrant yet to be issued
THE court in Davao City has yet to issue an arrest warrant for retired policeman Arturo Lascañas who earlier claimed as handler of the Davao Death Squad (DDS) and implicated President Rodrigo Duterte behind the alleged executions.
Prosecutors from the City Prosecutor’s Office here have filed murder and two counts of frustrated murder charges against Lascañas in line with the attacks that led to the death of radio broadcaster Juan "Jun" Pajadora Pala in 2003.
A source from the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10, who refused to be named for lack of authority to speak, said the court will have to issue a warrant of arrest, first, against the accused before it can precede the court proceedings.
The three separate cases filed against Lascañas were raffled off to RTC Branch 10 dated last May 29, Monday. The three separate cases were filed on the same date and were received by the court on June 1, Thursday afternoon.
In a five-page resolution that was approved May 25, the prosecutor’s office found probable cause to charge Lascañas, former Davao City Police Office (DCPO) member, following the complaint filed by the wife of the victim, Louise Aguirre Pala.
A subpoena was issued by the prosecution office on March 29 for the accused to submit his counter-affidavit and countervailing evidence but the return of the subpoena showed Lascañas is no longer residing at the same address.
Reports said Lascañas left the country last April 8, following the threats that a complaint will be filed against him. The accused earlier revealed the existence of the DDS and his being a member of it before the Senate hearing on March 6.
Lascañas is also facing a probe by the National Bureau of Investigation following his claims about the squad. The Department of Justice earlier said the scope of the investigation was Lascañas's testimony during the Senate hearing.
The prosecution said his declaration during the Senate hearing in claiming responsibility over the assassination of the radio announcer, through his affidavit and testimony, constitutes extrajudicial confession.