MANILA -– The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday took custody of Edgar Matobato, the alleged hitman of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS).
Senator Antonio “Sony” Trillanes IV accompanied Matobato, the self-confessed member of the DDS and witness, to Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Trillanes turned over the custody of Matobato to PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa after the Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued a warrant of arrest against Matobato for the case of illegal possession of firearms.
Matobato earlier said that he does not fear for his life now that he is the custody of the PNP, adding that, he leaves everything to God.
He went through the regular booking procedure at the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa also met with Trillanes and Matobato at the CIDG-National Capital Region (NCR) office in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Dela Rosa assured the safety of Matobato while in the custody of the PNP-CIDG saying that, “Hindi magagalusan yan. Pasuotin ng bulletproof vest, helmet, kahit bomb suit (He will not be harmed. He will be given bulletproof vest, helmet, even bomb suit).”
In an interview, Dela Rosa said that he will make sure that the life of Matobato is safe while in police custody beginning Friday until Monday.
The PNP chief noted that Matobato was happy because he was turned over to him by Trillanes.
Dela Rosa added that to ensure the security of Matobato, they will issue bullet proof vest, kevlar helmet, bullet proof googles and mask to him.
He stressed that if possible, they will “armorize” the whole body of Matobato just to make sure of his security.
On the other hand, Dela Rosa said that it would be “useless” if they will have Matobato flown to Davao City over the weekend.
However, he said, Matobato will be flown to Davao City on Monday.
Dela Rosa stressed that it would be better to bring Matobato to Davao City because he can guarantee his security there.
He pointed out that he has no “personal grudge” against Matobato despite his revelations against the PNP. Perfecto Raymundo/PNA-northboundasia.com