De Lima: Probe on Duterte, Davao Death Squad not related to 2016 polls

Justice Sec. Leila de Lima on Wednesday countered Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's claim that the Department of Justice's investigation of his alleged links to the vigilante group Davao Death Squad was connected to his perceived plan to run for higher office in the 2016 elections.

"It's not at all a consideration and definitely ibig sabihin hindi niya ako kilala, na hindi ko ginagawa ang sa tingin kong dapat gawin dahil sa mga ganiyang konsiderasyon," De Lima said.

"Wala naman po akong pakialam sa mga political considerations," he added.

De Lima, a former chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, said that she had "been really raising hell" about the DDS. She said she even had public hearings in Davao to look into the allegations against the vigilante group.

"Doon nga yata siya unang nagalit sa akin," De Lima said.

On Duterte saying he only initially admitted to being a part of it "out of exasperation," De Lima said, "'Yan ang sabi niya (pero) may mga witnesses kasi kami doon sa CHR na iba ang sinasabi. Tapos 'yung witness na nasa Witness Protection Program, siya ang itinuturo."

Earlier this week, De Lima said the National Bureau of Investigation was doing a case build-up of the DDS after the said witness came forward.

She was also quoted as saying Duterte could be held criminally liable for the alleged actions of the DDS, citing reports of him admitting his ties with the group.

For his part, Duterte has hit back at De Lima over what he perceived were her attacks against him.

He said while he is ready to face the charges, she must also prepare for a "cross-examination" from him as he had prepared counter-attacks against her. -NB, GMA News