THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-South Eastern Mindanao Regional Office (Semro) is trying to locate Arturo Lascañas to serve three arrest warrants issued against the retired policeman.
NBI-Davao regional director lawyer Arnold Rosales told SunStar Davao that the bureau is working on the documents needed by the authorities outside the country to carry out the arrest.
Lascañas, who left for Singapore on April 8, claimed before the Senate hearing on March 6 that he was the Davao Death Squad (DDS) handler and implicated then Davao City mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte behind the alleged killings.
"We have no confirmation yet whether Lascañas is still in Singapore. Sa ngayon, ginagawan namin ng paraan kung papaano mapawalang bisa yung kanyang passport. We need a court order and supporting documents," Rosales said.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II directed NBI director Dante Gierran on Thursday, June 8, to coordinate with International Police Organization (Interpol) and other proper authorities for the arrest of the accused.
Presiding Judge Retrina Fuentes of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10 in Davao City ordered the arrest of Lascañas.
Fuentes issued three arrest warrants versus Lascañas on June 5, Monday, for murder and two counts of frustrated murder.
Lascañas was earlier charged with murder and two counts of frustrated murder in connection to the attacks that led to the death of radio broadcaster Juan "Jun" Pajadora Pala last September 6, 2003.
Prior to the Senate inquiry on extrajudicial killings on March 6, Lascañas denied the existence of the vigilante group in October 2016.
He left the country due to fear of being locked up in jail following the complaints filed against him.