Lawyer of ex-Davao Death Squad member Edgar Matobato eyes Senate run

Jodesz Gavilan

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Lawyer of ex-Davao Death Squad member Edgar Matobato eyes Senate run

AFP

Saying he intends to fight the 'criminal, immoral' Duterte regime, lawyer Jude Sabio files his certificate of candidacy through a representative

MANILA, Philippines – The lawyer of a self-confessed hitman is gunning for a Senate seat.

Lawyer Jude Sabio, through representatve Rogelio Doydora, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as an independent at the Commission on Elections on Monday, October 15.

Sabio is the lawyer of ex-Davao Death Squad (DDS) member Edgar Matobato who linked President Rodrigo Duterte to mass killings in his hometown. (READ: Edgar Matobato: Liar or truth-teller?)

In a text message to Rappler, Sabio said he is running to continue and join the fight for justice started by senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV. 

Etong imoral at kriminal na mamamatay taong rehimeng Duterte ay pinapatay ang mahihirap di lang sa bala kundi pati sa gutom dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo,” he said. 

Kinokondena ko ang ginagawa ni Duterte na walang pakialam na magdusa sa hirap at mamatay sa gutom ang mga mahihirap at ang nangyayari ngayon ay isang sumpa dahil sa demonyo, kriminal, imoral at mamamatay taong rehimeng Duterte,” Sabio added.

(This immoral and criminal Duterte regime is killing the poor – not just using bullets but also using the high prices of commodities. I condemn the actions of Duterte dismissing the poor and the hungry. What’s happening now is a curse due to the demon, criminal, immoral, and killer regime of Duterte.)

He said that he decided to submit through an authorized representative out of fear for his safety. Doydora, he added, is a childhood friend. 

In 2017, Sabio filed an official communication before the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing Duterte of crimes against humanity in relation to his violent war on drugs. The ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor is now conducting a preliminary examination on the issue.

Duterte’s anti-drug campaign has left at least 4,800 people dead, according to the Philippine National Police. But human rights groups estimate that at least 20,000 have been killed, including victims of vigilante groups. (READ: Drug war will be ‘as chilling as the day it began’ – Duterte) – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Natsu Ando

author

Jodesz Gavilan

Jodesz Gavilan is a writer and researcher for Rappler and its investigative arm, Newsbreak. She covers human rights and impunity beats, producing in-depth and investigative reports particularly on the quest for justice of victims of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and war on dissent.