The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has identified the name used by self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato in sneaking out of the Philippines.
BI Spokesperson Dana Sandoval revealed during an interview on PTV Friday morning, Jan. 10: “We do have the information already on what mode was used and what name was used.”
However, Sandoval said: "I am not at liberty right now to share the information.".
She said that "in the next few days we will be able to share that information na po once mai-sumite na po ito sa proper authorities (once we have submitted the information to the proper authorities).
The disclosure was made by Sandoval after a New York Times report stated that Matobato, who claims to be a former member of the Davao Death Squad (DDS) and has links with former president and Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte, already left the Philippines using a fake identity to seek refuge in another country.
Sandoval said “mukhang ang nangyari po ay meron s’yang bagong pasaporte na may bago pong identity at ‘yun po ‘yung ginamit n’ya (it seems Matobato was able to get a new passport with a new identity and that’s what he used.")
She noted that the news report stted that Matobato also changed his appearance.
“So that’s why tinitingnan po natin kung ano ‘yung larawan din o ano itsura n’ya nung s’ya po ay umalis mismo (So that’s why we are also looking into how he looks like on the day he left),” she said.
Last year, the House of Representatives Quad Committee (Quad-com) recommended the filing of charges for crimes against humanity against former president Duterte and his allies for killings during his administration's war against illegal drugs.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been investigating Dutete over the same allegations.