Pubdate: Mon, 14 Feb 2005
Source: Manila Standard (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Manila Standard
Contact:  http://www.manilastandardonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3450
Author: Ignacio Dee
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Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Davao+Death+Squad
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PROBE OF DAVAO KILLINGS SET

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered authorities to investigate the 
spate of 51 killings in Davao City, which are being blamed by human rights 
groups on a vigilante squad.

In her visit last week, the President directed presidential assistant Jesus 
Dureza to look into these incidents.

"I am turning over the responsibility to PA Dureza to look into the 
investigation of the vigilante killings in Davao City and in Mindanao," 
said Arroyo.

However, Dureza deftly sidestepped the issue.

"There are proper agencies that are responsible for the investigation of 
the continuous case of vigilante killings and it would be better for us to 
leave everything at their hands," Dureza said in the same press briefing.

The latest victim was Mamalagan Dima, the head of the Muslim-Christian 
Vendors Association at the Bankerohan public market.

Last year, 97 people were reported killed in Davao City, prompting 
Philippine National Police Chief Edgar Aglipay to order his men to solve 
the cases speedily.

The culprit is a group called "Davao Death Squad," which goes after 
criminals or those with police records.

Ironically, Davao City's police force was named the best city unit during 
PNP's 14th anniversary last January.

Regional director Simeon Dizon said the series of killings may have been 
prompted by bungled deals and double-crosses following the raids on two 
shabu laboratories by PNP's anti-illegal drug operation task force.

"As to how many of the killings are due to this, we can't give a specific 
answer, but it is a theory we are working on," said Dizon in a recent 
interview.

Whether the series of killings in Davao City are due to karmic justice from 
drug lords and civic groups, lawyers have been questioning the 
effectiveness of the police in stopping these incidents.
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