Pubdate: Wed, 02 Mar 2005
Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991
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Author: BOT
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CITY, MAYOR CITED IN US REPORT ON
HUMAN RIGHTS

DAVAO City and its mayor, Rodrigo Duterte, were mentioned in the
latest report of the US Department of State on Philippine human rights
practices.

Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor last
February 28, 2005, the report mentioned the summary killings in the
city and Mayor Duterte's alleged links with the vigilante group Davao
Death Squad.

"Summary killings by vigilante groups continued to rise in Davao City,
Mindanao, where the mayor was alleged to be linked to the vigilantes.
Most of the victims were suspected of involvement in illegal drug
trade or other criminal activities. According to Task Force Detainees
of the Philippines, 67 suspected criminals were killed in Davao
between January and August, though it is unclear how many of these
deaths may be the result of common crime, as opposed to
vigilante-style slayings. No witnesses have come forth to testify in
any of these killings," the US report stated.

The US report also stated that the Philippine government "generally
respected the human rights of its citizens" but added that there were
"serious problems in some areas".

It said that some elements of the security services were responsible
for arbitrary, unlawful, and, in some cases, extra judicial killings;
disappearances; torture; and arbitrary arrest and detention.

"The physical abuse of suspects and detainees remained a problem, as
did police, prosecutorial, and judicial corruption. As in past years,
the constitutionally mandated Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
described the PNP as the worst abuser of human rights," the report
stated.

"Police and local government leaders at times appeared to sanction
extra judicial killings and vigilantism as expedient means of fighting
crime and terrorism," it added.

Also mentioned were the harsh conditions in prison; judges and
prosecutors remained poorly paid, overburdened, and susceptible to
corruption and the influence of the powerful often failing to provide
due process and equal justice.

"Despite efforts by reformist leaders in all three branches of the
Government to strengthen the rule of law and the protection of human
rights, a pervasive weakness in the rule of law contributed to a
widely held belief that official justice is beyond reach. Some local
military and police forces harassed human rights activists. Violence
against women and abuse of children continued to be problems. Societal
discrimination against Muslims persisted. The law provides for worker
rights, but its implementation and enforcement were not always
effective. Child labor continued to be a problem. The use of underage
workers in domestic service persisted. Child prostitution continued to
be a problem, as did trafficking in women and children," the report
said.

The report can be viewed at www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41657.htm.
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