Pubdate: Tue, 05 Jul 2005
Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991
Note:  also listed for feedback
Author: Ben O. Tesiorna
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Summary+Execution
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Davao+Death+Squad
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)

SALVAGE VICTIMS' KIN: JUSTICE, SOLUTION, NOT COP'S SUSPENSION

FAMILIES of the hundreds of victims of summary executions in Davao
City are not happy with the decision of the Ombudsman to temporarily
suspend four ranking police officials for neglect of duty and
inefficiency and incompetence in the performance of their duties.

In Monday's Kapehan sa Dabaw at the SM City Davao, Neneng Datwin,
mother of 25-year-old Jerry Datwin, said though they welcome the
suspension, this is not the justice they are seeking.

"Sa among paminaw dili ilang suspension ang among pangita kon dili
ilaha untang sulbaron ang kamatayon sa among mga anak (We do not want
their suspension, what we want them to solve the deaths of our
children)," Datwin said.

She appealed to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for help despite the
mayor's earlier statement supporting the four policemen.

"Unta muabot sa kasing-kasing ni mayor nga mahatag niya ang hustisya
na among ginapangita. Siya lang gyud ang makatabang namo (I hope our
appeal will touch the mayor's heart. We just want justice and he is
the only one who can help us)," Datwin said.

Sr. Supt. Conrado Laza, former director of the Davao City Police
Office (DCPO); Chief Inspector Matthew Baccay, chief of the San Pedro
police; Chief Inspector Vicente Danao Jr., former precinct chief of
the Talomo police precinct; and Inspector Filmore Escobal, former
chief of the Sta. Ana police, were ordered suspended by Deputy
Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices Orlando
Casimiro based on the findings of the Special Task Force created to
investigate the charges against the policemen.

The task force, in a report dated February 8, cited a total of 247
persons killed from August 1, 1998 to June 30,2004.

The report noted that 67 of the 247 deaths took place at the
jurisdiction of the Sta. Ana Police precinct, 52 within the area of
responsibility (AOR) of the San Pedro Police precinct, and 51 within
the jurisdiction of the Talomo police.

The report added that 92 were killed using a caliber .45 pistol while
possible motive for 67 deaths was illegal drugs.

Casimiro said the inability of the respondent police officers to
prevent the summary killings in Davao City is an indication of gross
neglect of duty and inefficiency and incompetence in the performance
of their duties.

Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Antonio Valenzuela already ordered the
Davao Region Police Office to immediately suspend the respondents for
six months.

The preventive suspension order covers a duration of six months
without pay and allowances.

The order also directed Police Director General Arturo Lomibao to
implement the order upon receipt of a hard copy and to inform the
Ombudsman of the implementation of the order within five days.

The four respondent officers were also directed to file their
respective counter-affidavits and other controverting evidence within
10 days after receipt of the order to the Office of the Deputy
Ombudsman for the Military and other Law Enforcement Offices at Agham
Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

The Coalition Against Summary Executions (Case) said it will keep
monitoring the progress of the Ombudsman investigation against the
four officials.

Lawyer Carlos Zarate of Case said he expects more in-depth
investigation to be conducted on the summary killings to finally be
able to put a stop on it.

He admitted he did not expect the Ombudsman decision, adding that this
is a positive indication that the government is now taking notice of
the killings.

Asked for his reaction on the statement of the mayor backing the four
suspended police officials, Zarate said it is Duterte's right as mayor
to support his men.

"But once the cops are proven negligent yet Duterte still supports
them then that would be another story," Zarate said.

Karapatan Southern Mindanao secretary general Ariel Casilao said the
Ombudsman decision must serve as a wake-up call for the present city
police director. 
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