In brief
Edgar Matobato, a former hitman, shares his harrowing experiences of carrying out killings under the orders of Rodrigo Duterte, and the haunting burden of his actions as he now seeks to come forward with his testimony.
In a hidden kitchen of a sanctuary in the Philippines, Edgar Matobato recalls the grim realities of his past as a member of a death squad. He tells of various methods to eliminate targets—some as brutal as feeding a victim to a crocodile, but primarily relying on his trusted .45-caliber Colt M1911 pistol. “For almost 24 years, I killed and disposed of many bodies,” he stated, revealing the weighty toll of a life spent in darkness. Now, after a decade of hiding following his confession to numerous murders, Matobato grapples with the violent orders he executed under former Davao City Mayor, and later President, Rodrigo Duterte. His remorse is palpable as he struggles to remember the many lives he took. Rain pours around him as he recounts these acts, fighting against the buzzing mosquitoes and the memories that linger, haunting his every moment. Matobato’s story uncovers not just the reality of his role, but the troubling legacy of a regime marked by violence and impunity. As he prepares to testify against Duterte, Matobato reflects on redemption and the hope of revealing the truth behind the curtain of fear that loomed over the Philippines during Duterte's administration.
