Bookmark this page and watch part one on Wednesday, January 15, at 7 pm.

MANILA, Philippines – Edgar Matobato, former assassin and member of the Davao Death Squad (DDS), turned witness in investigations into extrajudicial killings under former president Rodrigo Duterte. He has left the country and is reportedly safe.

In a sit-down interview in 2023, he said killers were exported to Manila to carry out the brutal killings. We are running excerpts of that interview conducted by investigative editor Chay Hofileña, who sat down with Father Flavie Villanueva of Project Paghilom on January 9. Villanueva had guided Matobato during the seven years that he was in hiding.

Matobato has confirmed the existence of the DDS and the killings, detailing his firsthand experience and involvement in some of them. According to him, there have been over a thousand killed in the drug war campaign both in Davao and Metro Manila. 

For security and safety reasons, the Matobato interview was not immediately aired. We are releasing that interview now with fresh insights from Villanueva. Watch the interview in two parts. – Rappler.com

This weekend, British judokas will compete in two major European tournaments: the Porec Millennium Team Cadet European Cup in Croatia and the Riga Senior European Cup in Latvia.

Porec Millennium Team Cadet European Cup

In the men’s division, Coen Gilbert (Sportif) will compete in the -50kg category, while Evan Anderson (Blyth Juno Michi) and Reece Blackshaw (Penistone JC) take on the -55kg. The -60kg field will feature Samuel Tang (Kin Ryu JC) and Jack Milligan (Wirral Judo Club), with Viktor Andriichuk (Camberley) battling in the -66kg.

Lenny Tancock and Luka Abashidze (both Bishops Stortford JK) will compete in the -73kg, while Harrison Elliot (High Wycombe Judo Centre) joins Nikoloz Shengelia (Palavani) in the -81kg.

On the women’s side, Sara Coni (Camberley) and Maisie Broadley (Wirral JC) will contest the -44kg category. Alexis Buchanan (Sportif) and Taylor Chrisp (Blyth Juno Michi) will fight in the -48kg field, while Lucy Robinson (Kin Ryu JC) will compete solo in the -52kg.

Aleksandra Dudko (Ealing JC), Maisie Shattock (Bacup JC), and Valentina Lawlor (Sportif) will take on the -57kg division. In the -63kg, Bronach Mary McGill (Sportif) and Karina Semete (Tonbridge JC) will round out the squad.

Riga Senior European Cup

Ross Dempsey (Clyde Judo) will be the sole British representative in the -60kg division, while a strong quartet of Finlay Allan (Camberley), Cameron Foster (Alness Judo), James Gray (Destination Judo), and Peter Miles (Bradley Stoke Judo) will compete in the -66kg category.

In the -73kg division, Cameron Charles and Harry Le Mare (both Camberley) will take to the mat, with Logan Campbell and Rory Tyrrell (both Camberley) contesting the -81kg. Samuel Petgrave (Westcroft JC) will compete in the -90kg category, while Daniel Ede (Westcroft JC) steps up in the +100kg division.

Lanina Solley (Camberley) will be the sole British contender in the -57kg category. Tomi Imrie (Jidel Judo 93) and Katie Mills (Camberley) will represent GB in the -63kg, while Holly Devall (Dragons Academy) rounds out the squad in the -70kg division.

Good luck to everyone competing!

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