Pubdate: Sun, 20 Feb 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: Aurea A. Gerundio
Cited: Philippine National Police http://www.pnp.gov.ph
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Summary+Execution
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Davao+Death+Squad
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

COPS 'PROBABLY KNOW' PEOPLE BEHIND KILLINGS

DAVAO CITY -- A member of the council of leaders of the Coalition Against 
Summary Executions (Case) said Saturday he suspects the police know about 
the perpetrators of the summary killings of suspected criminals in Davao City.

Fr. Amado Picardal believes that there is a "conspiracy of silence in the 
city" with regards to the unsolved killings of suspected criminals.

"It is my impression that the police know kung kinsa ang nagapamatay sa mga 
suspetsadong kriminal (who are killing those suspected criminals). In 
several instances, naa'y mga bag-ong gawas sa prisohan nga barilon dayon 
(there are those who are gunned down after they came out from prison). How 
would the perpetrator know what time their target will be released from 
prison?" Picardal said.

Picardal said the inability of the police to solve the summary killings 
gives the public the impression that the police probably know those who are 
behind the executions.

"We urge the police to investigate thoroughly the series of summary 
killings in the city. We have to remind everyone that killing is wrong. It 
is illegal. There should be due process of law. Mao nga mahadlok pud 
mogawas ang witness kay nagtuo nga nagpaluyo ra pud ang police (That is why 
the witness is afraid to come out because they believe the police are 
behind this). We should awaken the conscience of everyone that killing is 
immoral," Picardal said.

Sun.Star tried to get the side of Davao City Police Office director Senior 
Superintendent Conrado E. Laza on the matter but to no avail. Efforts to 
interview him through his mobile phone also proved futile.

Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Davao Chapter president Carlos 
Zarate challenged the police to solve the mystery about the 
motorcycle-riding gunmen by monitoring the motorcycles used.

"At least the police will show that they are running against motorcycles 
running without plate numbers. The pattern of the killings is clear but the 
police have not arrested even one suspect," Zarate said in the dialect.

Zarate said it is not entirely correct to say that there are no witnesses.

"Ang problema kay aduna sila'y kahadlok. Wala'y assurance ang mga witnesses 
nga ma-secure sila (The problem is they have fears. The witnesses do not 
have the assurance that they will be secured) once they stand as witness," 
he said.

Records showed that there are already 383 victims of summary executions 
from 1998 up to February 5 this year.
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