Edgar Matobato, a self-confessed hitman of the Davao Death Squad, had been in hiding for seven years before he found himself in protective custody outside the country.

In Part 1 of a 2023 sit-down interview with investigative editor Chay Hofileña, Matobato spoke about the turning point in his life as a hired killer, and his willingness to die to atone for his sins. In Part 2, Father Flavie Villanueva, SVD talks about Edgar’s need for a companion when he felt most alone and despondent. He asked for a puppy to care for and talk to.

Edgar asks for forgiveness for his sins and calls on other DDS members to come forward and speak the truth. Reflecting on why — despite his many past illnesses — he has been kept alive, Edgar says in Filipino that it was probably so he could do precisely that: tell the truth.

Below is the full transcript of Part 2 of that interview. You can read the full transcript of Part 1 here.

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Edgar Matobato: Nanghingi nga ako ng tawad. Hindi pa tumitigil. Noong nagkasakit ako, doon sa kama ko, tumatabi ma’am iyong tatlo…

Chay Hofileña: He speaks about God and the right to take a life. And mukhang itong experience na ito with the three teenagers was really the turning point in his life. Do you agree? 

Guilt, conscience, truth

Fr. Flavie: You could say that, you could say that how the interplay ng guilt, conscience, plus the truth, and to top it all, ‘yung tinatawag natin kanina, sabi ko na grace, na siyang nag-udyok, nagbigay ng panulak to say, tama na, hindi na, ayoko na. And that’s why when he came to Manila, ay ligaw din siya, hindi niya rin alam kung saan siya pupunta. So despite that reality of unknown, I think the grace that enveloped or that was whispering to him spurred him on to this very day. Even despite the, these voices of the innocents keep haunting him. Meron pa rin mas malalim na sabihin natin, grasya, na pinagkakapitan niya despite this sense of helplessness.

Export killers from Davao to Manila 

Chay Hofileña: In-export dito sa Maynila ‘yung gawain nila, workflow nila sa Davao. And I think he details that also. 

Chay Hofileña: Kung magkaroon kayo ng pagkakataon na makausap ‘yung mga pamilya ng mga nabiktima ng EJK, ano ‘yung magiging mensahe ‘nyo sa kanila?

Edgar Matobato: Manghihingi ako ng tawad. Kasi dito sa Maynila, ma’am, ang nag-umpisa ng patayan sa Maynila, taga-Davao. Dinala ni Duterte dito ang mga pulis na tao.

Chay Hofileña: Paano ‘nyo alam iyan?

Edgar Matobato: May kumpare ako, ma’am, sabi niya nandito sila sa Maynila… Kasi pinadala iyong mga tirador dito. Iyan ang nag-umpisa. Dinetail sila ng mga istasyon, para magtrabaho ng ganyan, patayan.

Chay Hofileña: Alam ‘nyo ba kung sino-sino ‘yung mga dinetail sa istasyon?

Edgar Matobato: Hindi ko lang alam ma’am, pero basta mga kasamahan ko…

Chay Hofileña: Iyong isang nababanggit na pangalan, si [Edilberto] Leonardo. 

Edgar Matobato: Oo. Si Leonardo ng CIDG. Tirador iyan, si Leonardo. Tirador yan, ma’am. Kasi, iba-ibang unit tumatrabaho sa Davao. Kay kung hindi ka trumabaho, wala kang suporta kang Duterte. Ang mga station commander ng ibang unit para ang hindi lang naka-participate na mga trabaho ng patayan, sundalo wala. Ayaw ni Duterte iyong sundalo kay ang sundalo daw, utak pulbura, sabi niya, walang tirador na sundalo. Mga pulis lang.

Chay Hofileña: Pulis lang?

Edgar Matobato: Pulis lang sa Davao. Pulis lahat sa Davao. Ang pumapatay talaga, pulis talaga, ma’am. Maniwala ka ‘yan na lumaban… Kasi ang pulis talaga, dalawa ang baril. May reserba na paltik, ‘yan pagkatapos, pagkatumba, nilalagay sa kamay. Katapos ang kamay, pinapaputok sa kamay niya ang baril, so lumaban. 

Chay Hofileña: Nanlaban?

Edgar Matobato: Oo. Ganyan ayan, ganyan ang trabaho, ma’am. Kasagaran iyan sa amin. Iyan ang istilo…. 

Dialogue with EJK families 

Chay Hofileña: If merong chance for him to have spoken with EJK families, ‘yung pamilya ng mga victims, sinubukan mo bang i-arrange ‘yan, Father?

Fr. Flavie: Didn’t you see the video? There was, there was. There was one time. And it was helpful for him sapagkat it allowed him to express who he was then and who he is now, plus the remorse that enveloped him. And lastly, the promise, the vow that he will correct the wrong that he did by being a truth-teller. Unfortunately, it also did not, it did not do well much for the current victims. Even if it was explained to them that he had zero participation in the current killings ni Duterte, maybe it was misread by them, but the families — not all — if there were four or five who were there, at least three were indignant when they heard him confess.

Chay Hofileña: And how did he take it nung nagalit?

Fr. Flavie: Tanggap lang siya. Tanggap lang siya. And actually, I was the one who was kinda anxious and agitated because it was not supposed to go that far. Kita ‘yun sa video na sabi ko, it’s okay, it’s okay, kalma lang, bai. But meron, meron ganun klaseng dialogue and meron ganung klaseng encounter of the then-DDS killer plus the survivors. And siguro, perhaps in the future, there could be a more healthier way for healing to take place in both encounters.

Edgar and Lascañas encounter, reconciliation

Chay Hofileña: He also mentions two men, no? Si Leonardo, former CIDG chief sa Davao. And of course, ang dami nang naging revelations in the House, dun sa quadcom or mega panel, whatever you call it. Tapos ‘yun, parang na-expose din ‘yung naging role ni Leonardo in Davao. And he also mentioned Lascañas, na naging quite close sila as if magkapatid ang turing niya. Pero he never questioned bakit or sino ‘yung papatayin. Basta sunod lang siya. Meron ba siyang pinaliwanag bakit ganun? Or how he felt toward Lascañas? 

Fr. Flavie: Nung una, definitely ilag si Edgar. Pangalawa, galit at inis, because of the torture that he received from him when they realized that he was going to turn tides. Nadagdagan pa sa pagdidiin ni King sa kanya during the Senate. But I was not there. Unfortunately, I was not there. There was a reconciliation. There was a beautiful reconciliation that took place, which I regretted that I was not there when it happened. And as per memory, as I was told, King came in. Of course, hinanda si Edgar doon sa bahay.

Chay Hofileña: King referring to Lascañas.

Fr. Flavie: Nung nakita ni Edgar, dali-daling pumunta sa kusina at naghanap ng kutsilyo. Gaganti. Until everyone was pacified and in-assure siya na nagbabago na. And I could…Two things about Edgar on that account. First, ‘yung…kasi may sugat pa siya eh. Sinaksak siya ng barrel sa puwet.

Chay Hofileña: Sa puwet?

Fr. Flavie: This was the last torture that he endured, which until now, we’re nursing the wound. Imagine how long it has been. And that was with the approval or even with participation. So, malalim, but despite that, ay nagkaroon ng paghilom ‘yung dalawa. The second thing about this, and this reveals a lot about Edgar’s personality, na he’s a good soldier. If I may put it that na kung ano ‘yung utos, ‘yun ‘yung susundin. At sa pagkilala ko sa kanya, merong mababang loob. Walang yabang. Walang yabang, walang bisyo. Not even in the seven years that I’ve journeyed with him, bilang na bilang ‘yung hiningi niya. Unlike people whom I know both in the streets or among the EJK victims, I only recall siguro him asking me two things. And they were never lavish things, ano — a puppy, a companion. Nung una may mga nagsabi, bakit bibigyan mo ng aso ‘yan? Sabi ko, ikaw nga, tumira ka mag-isa, tumira ka sa isang hawla na ikaw lang, taon, at ang nakikita mo lang dingding. Di ba? Kung ‘yung homeless nga, may alagang tuta dahil kausap at kakampi, ito pa?

Chay Hofileña: Nakakabaliw ‘yun.

Support and sanctuary for truth-tellers 

Fr. Flavie: Kaya apart from the financial, psychological, there’s this psychological care that we provide to witnesses. And this is part of the church’s mission to care for truth-tellers, to provide sanctuary. And when you talk about sanctuary, it’s not only the space, but also the holistic need of the person. At doon ko nakita ‘yung pagkatao ni Edgar na malalim, may kababaang-loob na walang yabang. Kaya madaling paniwalaan ‘yung kuwento niya na may pinagmumulan nito, may malalim ang katotohanan nito. And I’m happy that nagkakaroon na siya ng plataporma, stage, para maipahayag lahat ito.

Protocol for killers: No questions asked 

Chay Hofileña: ‘Yung sinabi mo kanina, Father, na hindi talaga, sumusunod siya. He’s a good soldier. I think pinaliwanag din niya sa interview ano ‘yung protocol, in effect? So, balikan lang natin.

Chay Hofileña: Hindi ‘nyo alam kung ano ang specific na sino?

Edgar Matobato: Hindi namin alam ma’am. Sa amin, bawal ang magtanong sa amin. Basta may order na pumatay ka, hindi ka puwede magtanong-tanong. Maski ako, kami, matagal kaming nagsama ni Arthur [Lascañas], para kaming magkapatid. Pero hindi ako nagtatanong ma’am, kasi may protocol talaga na bawal magtanong.

Chay Hofileña: Hindi kayo nagtangka?

Edgar Matobato: Hindi. Nalalaman mo naman kung halimbawa hindi natatapon, ‘yung namamatay lang sa kalsada, siyempre nagke-claim ang pamilya, makikita mo sa TV, o ‘yan malalaman mo na. Ahh ganyan pala… Kasi sa sobrang tapang ko noon, hindi man ito pang-kuwan, maliit akong tao, basta magtrabaho ako, parang demonyo na, parang demonyo.

Chay Hofileña: Hindi ‘nyo ba naisip na merong dahilan kung bakit hanggang ngayon buhay pa kayo kahit na ang dami ‘nyong sakit na pinagdaanan?

Edgar Matobato: Siguro binuhay pa siguro ako ng Panginoon para makapagsalita ng totoo. Kasi hindi naman puwede itong haka-haka lang. Ako mismo ang trumabaho. Ako mismo ang pumatay.

Purpose of still being alive: Accomplish a mission 

Chay Hofileña: So meron pa bang purpose to his living?

Fr. Flavie: Oo naman.

Chay Hofileña: Kahit na ayaw na niya. Na recurring siya eh, paulit-ulit, di ba, na sige na, gusto ko nang mamatay. Okay na, ayoko na.

Fr. Flavie: Alam mo, listening to him also on a daily basis back then, parang kahit ako, parang ito na naman tayo. Ito na naman yung kuwento, no? Parang ayoko na rin gumising at pakinggan ‘yun. Pero hindi eh. Ibinigay eh. Pinagkatiwala sa akin, ipinagkatiwala sa kanya. And it is a mission that I believe that he will see it through. Especially if he’s, kung binigyan siya at patuloy siya bibigyan ng pagkakataon. Again, that is also an indicator of an element of conversion na puwedeng sabihin na the determination, the renewal, the zeal of a renewed heart, who would like to accomplish the mission ahead. 

Hope in the ICC 

Chay Hofileña: Hopeful it appears. My impression was, hopeful pa rin siya sa ICC and hopeful siya with the new administration. I will let you listen and then I will ask you if you feel the same.

Chay Hofileña: Umaasa ba kayo na may mangyayari sa ICC?

Edgar Matobato: Oo ma’am, siyempre umaasa man ako. Iyan ang pangarap ko, dapat na mahatulan…mahatulan kami. Walang pipiliin. Malaki man, o maliit. Gusto kong pantay-pantay lahat…Pero ako, iyong buhay ko, nilaan ko naman sa Diyos, kung anong mangyari sa akin, tanggap ko na. Basta ako, sinabi ko sa ICC, na willing to die, is voluntary. Wala kayong pananagutan sa akin. Kung anong hatol ‘nyo sa akin, kung i-lethal injection man ako, kung bitayin man ako, ayos lang. Masaya na ako.

Chay Hofileña: Hindi ba sila nag-offer ng witness protection program?

Edgar Matobato: Nag-offer sila. Nag-offer sila sa akin pero hindi ako nag-aasa. Sa akin, kung ano ang paglitis sa amin, kung ano ang hatol, tatanggapin ko nang buo. Tatanggapin ko nang buo. At least naman makabayad naman ako sa mga namatay na mga tao, ma’am, parang manok. Pero dapat pagbayaran ‘yan kay tao rin.

Hope in the new administration for justice?

Chay Hofileña: Bago na ang administrasyon ngayon, palagay ‘nyo may mangyayari?

Edgar Matobato: May mangyayari siguro kay itong si Marcos hindi naman masyadong masama. Hindi naman katulad ni Digong na masama din. Ginamit lahat niya ang posisyon niya, ‘yung power niya. Ang gusto kong inaasam-asam na magkaharap-harap kami sa ICC. Gusto kong mahatulan ‘yan si Duterte, hanggang ngayon wala pa. At saka iyong mga opisyal, ’yung lahat ng mga kasamahaan kong mga pulis, dapat din makulong at masentensiyahan na. Pumatay sila ng mga tao. Para pantay lahat, oo.

Chay Hofileña: Do you share the sentiment?

Fr. Flavie: Totoo naman. Mas mabait si BBM kay Digong dahil hindi naman nagpapapatay ng tao. Party lang nang party eh. Di ba? That’s how…

Chay Hofileña: Everybody happy…

Fr. Flavie: Yes, ‘yun daw ang personalidad ng presidente na everybody happy…

Chay Hofileña: So hopeful ka that there will be justice in the long run?

Fr. Flavie: Let’s put it this way First, we have seen things that were never seen when Digong was president and this is the investigations that took place in both houses. We have never seen this before. How the survivors are being granted, no matter how fraction of a minute or time they’re given. Pero pinag-uusapan na. May comedy man. Merong I don’t know how you would call it nga, kasi sabi mo kanina kung anong klaseng hearing nga ba ito. But for me, better than nothing. Pangalawa, in the political climate, if I were in the shoes of the current president, it is basic and reasonable that I eliminate my enemies. Di ba?

Chay Hofileña: It makes political sense.

Fr. Flavie: It’s political sense that the survival of the fittest…I mean, to free ourselves from all competitions. So in a political sense, that is the most sound thing to do.

Chay Hofileña: Do you wish he were more decisive?

Fr. Flavie: Oh, definitely. Definitely. But then again, as people have pointed out, that’s part of his personality, di ba? But the current events also speaks in symphony of his hopes. He has given, as I was told, his deposition just as Lascañas has done already to the ICC. It’s just a matter of time for the OTP, the Office of the Prosecutor, to finalize its report and submit it to the chamber.

Chay Hofileña: Is there a timetable for that?

Fr. Flavie: I know there is. And I’m not as optimistic as Sonny Trillanes, but three quarters, mid this year, mid this year would be the latest.

Chay Hofileña: After elections?

Fr. Flavie: Baka abutin, baka hindi. Of course, gusto natin, sana hindi. May posibilidad naman daw, sana hindi. So we just have to hope. Same as our friend is hoping. He used to hope against hope. And that has kept him alive. And I’m also grateful for the beautiful things that I’ve learned in journeying with him.

Message to Duterte 

Chay Hofileña: Meron siyang message for Duterte.

Fr. Flavie: Sige nga.

Chay Hofileña: Tingnan natin.

Fr. Flavie: And I hope he sees this.

Chay Hofileña: Hindi na presidente, hindi na pangulo si Duterte, wala na siya sa kapangyarihan. Kung meron kayong mensahe sa kanya, ano ‘yung magiging mensahe ‘nyo?

Edgar Matobato: Dapat sumuko na siya. Sa sobra niyang… Siya man ang mastermind lahat. Siya man ang utak ng patayan sa Davao. Hanggang dito sa Maynila, siya ang utak ng patayan dito. Lahat-lahat sa Pilipinas, siya talaga.

‘Sumuko na kayo’ 

Chay Hofileña: He also had a parang message to the general public. May mensahe siya sa ibang tao, bukod sa former president Duterte.

Fr. Flavie: Sige nga. Let’s listen to that.

Chay Hofileña: Meron pa ba kayong gustong sabihin na dapat malaman ng ibang tao?

Edgar Matobato: Ang sabi ko lang…Kung ang daming pinatay, nanghihingi ako ng tawad kay hindi ko man alam, inutusan man lang ako, inutusan man lang nila ako, kaya nga pumunta ako dito para magkaroon ng hustisya tutal ang utos nito, utos man ni Duterte lahat ng patayan. Isang tao lang ang nag-utos niyan. Iyan lang ang isasabi ko. Ang dami pang nasasabit. Kaya ito, binulgar ko, para malaman ng taumbayan na hindi ito tsismis lang. Totoong-totoo talaga ito. Kaya nga hinahabol nila ako, gusto nila akong patayin para hindi ako makapagsalita. Iyan ang kuwan nila ma’am, bakit natatakot sila. Di harapin nila. Gusto kong pagbayaran namin ‘yung mga kasalanan. Dapat ‘yung mga kasamahan ko, sumuko na sila.

Chay Hofileña: Can there be forgiveness for these people who have killed?

Fr. Flavie: Let’s not…yes, definitely there is forgiveness, but let us not differentiate, we have to differentiate what forgiveness and justice is about, right? So, If it’s a matter of seeking forgiveness through the sacraments, the contriteness of the person is something that should be qualified, which in his case, he has received several times. But the minimum requirement for forgiveness also is the just cause. So, and that’s I believe is something that he is bent on doing. Kaya paulit-ulit ‘yung kanyang tema na handa akong managot, handa akong mahatulan, at kayo mga kasamahan ko, sumuko na rin kayo.

Chay Hofileña: Join me.

Fr. Flavie: Lalo na, join me na sa pagbabago. Pero si Duterte, dapat talagang sumuko at managot. I like the way he capsulizes it. But I also would like to share for our readers that he is a man who has difficulty in speaking Tagalog. Bisaya kasi siya. So his language is, his Tagalog is, we could see how difficult he gropes with words. And that has to be understood and never taken out of context. But more than anything, more than anything, if there would be a theme that I would choose to capsulize his story, I think that the word conversion is something, or even hope, may pag-asa, ang isang makasalanan.

Chay Hofileña: Beautifully put.

Fr. Flavie: Perhaps someone who has gone through the same. Wala naman akong pinatay…but oras lang ang pinapatay ko minsan but as someone…who has gone through a dark past, is a wounded healer like him, I could empathize, so I wish him all the best and wherever he is, and alam ko sisikat din ang liwanag sa kabila ng madilim na araw.

Chay Hofileña: It’s really been a long journey for Edgar. 

Fr. Flavie: It was, it was.

Chay Hofileña: And we can only wish him luck wherever he is. His transformation from killer to whistleblower to a repentant man, longing for justice is perhaps unimaginable for many. Thank you Father Flavie for sharing your time and insights with us and telling part of Edgar’s story from your perspective — ‘yung mga nakita mo na hindi namin siguro nakita. I am sure that families of EJK victims are thankful to Edgar too and to others who have, and will come forward, to tell the truth behind the killings.

This is Chay Hofileña. Thank you very much for watching.

– Rappler.com