MANILA – Self-confessed Davao Death Squad leader Arturo Lascañas on Monday claimed President Rodrigo Duterte tolerated the conduct of illegal numbers game "Last Two" during his stint as Davao City Mayor.

“Sa Davao, kumbaga open si mayor sa ‘last two’ kasi hindi tinatakbuhan ng financier ang mga nanalo,” Lascañas told a Senate hearing.

“Sa mga malilit na pobre, kumikita sila ng 200,300 daily. Kung makapanalo may komisyon sila.”

This is just among the numerous claims of Lascañas since his stunning recantation of his earlier denial in October 2016 about the Davao Death Squad.

According to Lascañas, the DDS carried out killings on Duterte’s orders. Among the group’s victims, he said, were petty criminals and innocent civilians.

Duterte and his men have denied Lascañas' claims.

Since assuming the presidency, Duterte has vowed to crush illegal gambling.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, head of the Task Force on Illegal Gambling, earlier said Duterte is dismayed because Small Town Lotter operators are only remitting 10 to 15 percent of what he believes should go to the government.