A former bodyguard-driver of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte has confirmed that the code name “Superman” was used for the former Davao City mayor.
Retired police officer Sanson Buenaventura verified the code name, echoing earlier claims by individuals, including former members of the notorious Davao Death Squad (DDS).
Buenaventura, who served as Duterte’s bodyguard and driver from 1988 to 2008, was questioned by Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro during a Quad Committee hearing at the House of Representatives on Thursday.
He stated that Duterte was called “Superman” by certain groups in Davao City.
When further questioned by Luistro, Buenaventura said he had no knowledge of the DDS, dismissing it as a term coined by the media.
Luistro reminded him of Duterte’s previous Senate hearing admission, where the former president acknowledged the existence of a DDS.
Buenaventura admitted his loyalty to Duterte when pressed by Luistro.
His name has been mentioned several times in testimonies from various individuals linked to the DDS.
Self-confessed DDS hitman Arturo Lascañas claimed in his 2017 affidavit that Buenaventura played a significant role in the DDS, managing logistics and finances, and serving as a liaison for Duterte’s orders.
Lascañas stated that Buenaventura relayed Duterte’s instructions on whom to target.
In another affidavit, an individual named “Jose Basilio” described Buenaventura as the operational “big boss” of the Heinous Crime Investigation Section, allegedly authorizing DDS operations against criminals.
Basilio claimed that orders from Buenaventura were believed to originate from Duterte, leading to compliance from DDS members.
Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Royina Garma also mentioned Buenaventura, alleging that he issued P20,000 rewards to station commanders for each drug suspect killed.