Rappler Talk Investigative, Part 2: Edgar Matobato, truth-teller on a mission
In Part 1 of the video interview with former Davao Death Squad member Edgar Matobato, he revealed what he knew about the gruesome killings that they carried out upon the orders of former president and former Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
Now under protective custody outside the Philippines, Matobato spoke about the turning point in his life as a hired killer, and his willingness to die to atone for his sins. Father Flavie Villanueva, SVD of Project Paghilom, who also supported Matobato during the seven years that the former DDS was in hiding, shared the role of conscience in Matobato’s decision to be a whistleblower.
In the second part of the interview conducted in 2023 by investigative editor Chay Hofileña, Matobato speaks about killers in Davao City exported to Manila to start the brutal cycle of deaths. He sends a message to former president Duterte and his co-killers.
He also says: “Siguro binuhay pa ako ng Panginoon para makapagsalita ng totoo. Kasi hindi naman puwede itong haka-haka lang. Ako mismo ang trumabaho. Ako mismo ang pumatay.” (Maybe the Lord has allowed me to live to speak the truth. These cannot just be all speculation. I myself did the job. I myself did the killing.) – Rappler.com