(Eagle News) — Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III refused to place self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato under the Senate’s protection, saying the testimony of the latest witness presented by Senator Leila de Lima was “not even relevant to the resolution being investigated.”
“There’s even no showing that his life or safety is threatened. Worse, the witness’ testimony is not even relevant to the resolution being investigated,” Pimentel said in a statement.
The resolution he was referring to was senate resolution no. 9 filed by Senator De Lima that seeks to investigate, in aid of legislation the extrajudicial killings and summary executions of suspected criminals “to strengthen the mechanisms of accountability of law enforcers, and to institute corrective legislative measures to ensure full respect for basic human rights, especially the right to life.
Pimentel said there was no Senate rule that would justify placing Matobato under protection.
“I intend to run the Senate based on Rules. I’ve denied the request for protective custody of the witness Motabato because there is no Senate rule to justify it,” Pimentel said.
De Lima, in an earlier press briefing, insisted on giving Matobato protection from the Senate.
“Security, that’s the protection from the institution. Hindi naman tama na hindi namin siya bibigyan and I will insist on that,” De Lima said.
She said they could not trust the Philippine National Police (PNP), or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
And she said any executive agency under the Office of the President for that matter could not be relied on for Matobato’s security, since the witness is linking no less than President Duterte for alleged extrajudicial killings in Davao City when he was still city mayor.
Matobato left the Senate grounds past 7:30 p.m.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV however assured that he would try to give protection to Matobato. He had earlier helped senator De Lima to provide security to Matobato prior to the senate hearing.
