Who paid for Lascañas’ trip to Singapore?

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday questioned how confessed hitman Arturo “Arthur” Lascañas was able to afford a trip to Singapore.

In a text message to reporters, Lacson said Lascañas’ family had also left for Singapore even before the retired Davao City cop, who linked President Rodrigo Duterte to extrajudicial killings in Davao City, testified at the Senate.

“That could be his personal reason for leaving. It may be worth to find out who spent for his and his family’s trips and accommodations in Singapore which is an expensive place to stay,” Lacson said.

“Contrary to reports that he left quietly, I don’t see that since he allowed himself to be accompanied by a news reporter,” he added.

Asked whom he thinks paid for Lascañas’ expenses, Lacson said: “Most likely those who sponsored his retraction and his tri-media interviews in an apparent effort to bring down President Duterte.”

Last February, Lascañas made a complete turnaround when he retracted his earlier testimony on the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS). In the press conference, he was presented by lawyers from the Free Legal and Assistance Group and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

Lascañas claimed that the DDS exists, and that they were paid up to P100,000 by Duterte, then city mayor, depending on their target.

He also claimed to be involved in the killings of almost 200 people, including radio broadcaster Jun Pala.

 The report also quoted Lascañas as saying that he might either be jailed or killed once he returns home.

Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Antonette Mangrobang told GMA News Online that Lascañas presented to immigration officers a plane ticket which indicated April 22 as his return date to Manila.

Lacson said Lascañas’ decision to leave the country will be mentioned in a Senate committee report that will be reported out in plenary when Congress resumes session on May 2.

Lacson is the chairman of the Senate public order committee, which conducted the hearing on the allegations of Lascañas against Duterte.

Last month, Lacson said Lascañas testimony was meant to “destabilize” the Duterte administration.