Pubdate: Thu, 17 Feb 2005
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Author: Ben Arche
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Davao+Death+Squad
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

KIN OF 'SALVAGING' VICTIMS ASKED TO COOPERATE

DAVAO CITY - The Davao regional office of the Commission on Human Rights 
(CHR) has urged the relatives of victims of vigilante killings to extend 
their cooperation to the law-enforcement agencies in the efforts to seek 
justice for their kin.

CHR Director Alberto Sipaco Jr. said it would be very difficult for the 
commission to start an investigation because there are no relatives of 
victims who filed complaints with their office despite repeated appeals.

Sipaco said the people accept the fate of the slain suspects in the illegal 
drug business because their acts constitute an attack on the community. 
"For them, the killing is justified," he said.

He said, however, that there are groups who still believe that "not all 
victims were in conflict with the law," and that they considered summary 
execution as a violation of the right to life and a mockery of the justice 
system and, therefore, totally unjustifiable.

Director Sipaco has asked civic organizations, religious and other 
community groups to unite and work together to stop the extra-judicial 
killings and arrest the suspects.

"The killings have been going on, and not a single case has been brought to 
court," Sipaco said.

Earlier, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) asked President Gloria 
Macapagal Arroyo to intercede in putting a stop to the summary executions 
that have claimed 50 lives since the start of the year.
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