The number of summary killings by so-called Death Squads in so far as Davao is concerned has pushed the panic button. There is now an emerging concern from various groups on how the brakes should be applied to this continuing scare affecting young children of not few families to the point many suspect if is not part of unwritten government policy to address criminality.
It appears that the policy is actually a kind of ‘shoot-to-kill’ tolerated by no less than the local government unit itself in its aggressive drive against lawlessness. Even US human rights groups begin to suspect that the mayor himself and other local public officials are into this so-called ‘pattern of complicity’. But of course, the good Mayor Duterte has always denied of state-sponsored killings in the city.
Assuming that indeed there are criminals who pose serious threat to peace and order, has it then become lawful that so-called DDS (Davao Death Squads) are formed to make as targets of assassinations or summary killings those who are suspected of being involved in various crimes? If this is not ‘short-circuiting’ our justice system, I don’t know what is. The government must step into the scene.
Consider some statistics. It is said that from 1998 up until January this year, there had been about 257 reported killings by this vigilante groups. As a result, the Commission on Human Rights conducted a public hearing sometime March 2009 purposively to delve on this disturbing statistics of summary executions. Some facts point to the fact that local officials as well as police authorities themselves are indicatively into this tough approach against crime exacting death toll to petty criminals, drug users, even street children.
There is a little bit of economics here. Apparently, the death squads are guns-for-hire who are paid from a low of P5,000 for small fish and P100,000 for the big fish. They usually come from former NPA if not persons themselves who are subject of possible assassinations. In short, it has served as a licensed-to-kill their would-be killers if they become part of the DDS. But still, from the outline, this constitutes gross violations of law – if tolerated, officially or unofficially.
Come to think of it, even the PNP somehow resorted to this similar scheme when it hired the services of a so-called ‘police auxiliaries’ to help our military and police authorities to run after the Abu Sayyaf Group that still held in custody the two other ICRC members somewhere in Sulu. They, somehow, are considered belonging to the same class – death squads out to flushed out the dread Abu Sayyaf Group.
Viewed obliquely, even bonafide members of the PNP become mere death squads when they place the law unto their hands. When they tend to disregard the rule of law in such cases as having to plant evidence against their would-be prey and when they shoot them outside the legal mantra, then they have just morphed themselves as ‘death squads’.
Maybe, the proliferation of death squads in Davao has been an effective way to curb criminality except that some accounts show that it proceeds from a kind of trial-and-error. This means that 4 out of 10 victims are real criminals and the rest being a case of mistaken identity. At this rate, much is left to be desired since right to life ought be inviolable.
Some may not mind them provided however they can really run after the real criminals and they have the necessary training and discipline to become vigilante groups. But equally many ought to be against a scheme where some persons can just be hired to summarily execute people involved in petty crimes. The point is, the existing legal system has to be followed and there cannot be any other short route at it.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Do you need no opinion? This piece started off strongly and the reader kinda gets absorbed with the brutal justice system in Davao including what you mention as the the going price per hit. Compelling.
However, you have to end with this weak closing:
“The point is, the existing legal system has to be followed and there cannot be any other short route at it.”
Obvious ba, parekoy? :)
Davao is descending into Fascism. Benito Mussolini of Italy ruled
with that kind of government. Even the Mafiosi and Cosa Nostra were
afraid of the Fascist government. Most of them got away to North
America. Before they were all become extinct by Mussolini. The sad
part is they brought along their talents as criminals to America.
One wonders, however, why the pro-insurgent newspaper never call the NPA and the Abu Sayyaf as “DEATH SQUADS” which of course is what they truly are. Oh but no, they are “freedom fighters”. And when was the last time the CHR rushed down there to check on “human rights violations” by those gun-toting, land mine laying kidnap for ransom peace lovers?
Primer,
Hindi mo pa nababa???
http://filipinovoices.com/a-city-mayor-and-his-alleged-links-to-extrajudicial-killings
Anyways,
Happy Easter, belatedly.
“One wonders, however, why the pro-insurgent newspaper never call the NPA and the Abu Sayyaf as “DEATH SQUADS” which of course is what they truly are. Oh but no, they are “freedom fighters”. And when was the last time the CHR rushed down there to check on “human rights violations” by those gun-toting, land mine laying kidnap for ransom peace lovers?”
I agree.(even if i continue to subscribe to the pdi)
Belated Happy Easter Ding!
By the way, thanks for the suggested link.
Agdao in Davao when I was there is called Nicaragdao precisely because of the so-called vigilante groups. But the scenario was quite the reverse – the police are being killed one by one on a fairly regular basis.
Then came now Senator Biazon who was former colonel of the Marines. He was able to establish rapport with everyone probably to include the death squads. And somehow the summary killings were stopped or at least no Marines is being killed.
Same mode and I’ve seen it myself – motorcycle riding duos out in the wilderness to get their target victims. It never changed.
Primer:
Agdao was called Nicaragdao due to the heightened state of conflict in the 80s – a level similar to the urban insurrection in Nicaragua. At that time, Agdao was a staging and recruiting ground for Sparrow Units who picked PNP targets who were known to be corrupt. This stopped the cops practice of fleecing drivers. Drivers were complaining to the LTO, the PNP, the government – and there was…. NO RESPONSE FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
Therefore, the community got tired, and exercised its will and acted accordingly.
The rise of the DDS came after the heinous rape and murder of Judith Cansino – she was abducted, her genitals turned into an ashtray, and then dumped by the roadside.
After that incident, every Davaoeño feared for their daughter/wife/mother/fiance – and the community expressed a zero tolerance for violent criminals and nip them in the bud.
Criminals are given one and final warning. Recidivists proceed at their own peril.
In Davao, dealing with the human rights issue means – the victim’s rights. Criminals are advised to practice their trade in cities that are more friendly to criminals’ rights – NOT Davao.
You know Primer, my problem with Duterte is I know him and it’s sad how his intense opposition to criminals has fully clouded his erstwhile respect for human rights.
That’s MOST TRAGICALLY DISTURBING.
Ding:
Let’s just say, Rody has utmost respect for the human rights of the victims of violent criminals.
With reference to Rody’s respect for the human rights of violent criminals, there’s none, a sentiment shared by a large number of Davaoeños.
Bong,
I agree with what you said by way of history.
In other words, death squads follow certain historical currents. Then, let them be.
Everything soon gets back to normal – Davao City, the best city in the world!