Witness Edgar Motabato appears before the Senate Committee on Justice’s probe on the alleged rampant extrajudicial killings and summary executions of suspected criminals. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senators recommended Thursday placing self-confessed killer and witness Edgar Matobato under the protection and custody of the Senate.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said the Senate should provide sanctuary to Matobato within the Senate grounds so that he will be adequately protected.
“My motion is to place the witness under the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms and provide sanctuary within the Senate grounds until formal arrangements can be made,” he said.
Trillanes also wanted Matobato to be placed under the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program.
Senator Leila de Lima, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, agreed with the motion.
“The Senate is the best to provide protection to the witness at this time,” she said.
Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III and Senator Franklin Drilon also agreed with the motion.
Trillanes also recommended that the witness be given legislative immunity.
Both motions should be approved by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III before it can be implemented.
Matobato said during the hearing that he knows his testimony could cost him his life.
“Alam ko ‘yung testimony ko ‘yung buhay ko naman ang kapalit. Matagal na nila akong hinahabol,” he said.
The witness has earlier been admitted to the WPP but he left after President Rodrigo Duterte won, saying he knows he will be killed.
“Alam ko na ipapabunot ako sa WPP. Alam ko na ‘yan, na papatayin ako,” said Matobato.
During the hearing on Thursday, Matobato said President Duterte ordered the bombing of mosques and killing of the suspects behind the Davao Cathedral bombing, during his term as Davao City mayor.
He also said Duterte ordered the killing of Davao journalist Jun Pala. (MNS)