The hearing was briefly halted so senators could discuss how to provide security for Matobato because of the explosive nature of his allegations. Presidential spokesman Martin Andanar rejected the allegations, saying government investigations into Duterte's time as mayor of Davao had already gone nowhere because of a lack of real evidence. There was no immediate reaction from Duterte, who has denied any role in extra-judicial killings when he was the longtime mayor of Davao and after he assumed the presidency in June. "They were killed like chickens," said Matobato, who added he backed away from the killings after feeling guilty and entered a government witness-protection program. He left the program when Duterte became president, fearing he would be killed.

Source: New Strait Times September 15, 2016 03:56 UTC