Tension up in Davao City as CHR probes vigilante slays

03/31/2009

The pervading air in Davao City was tense as the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday started its investigations into the spate of extra-judicial killings allegedly by members of the notorious vigilante group called the Davao Death Squad (DDS).

In a text message to colleagues of his in the Manila-based media, a reporter covering CHR’s probe who requested that he be not identified for security reasons, said the local police have raised security measures all over the city, including the establishment of checkpoints in several areas.

“The situation here is not good as battle-ready cops are manning checkpoints,” the reporter said through a text message.

The reporter added that City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s presence at the lobby of the Mandaya Hotel where the CHR is conducting its hearing had further raised tension there.

Duterte stayed at the bar in the hotel’s lobby with his own group of media men. “Everyone who comes in passes by him,” the reporter said.

Duterte is being accused by some sectors as the brains behind the DDS.

The CHR probe of the Davao extra-judicial killings has been hailed by House committee on human rights chairman, Quezon province Rep. Erin Tañada.

“It is right to investigate the Davao Death Squad. The fact that it is happening in Davao shows that the police there are not doing their job in arresting those involved,” Tañada told news men through text message.

“No one has the license to kill even if the person killed is allegedly a criminal. What happens if the alleged criminal is innocent? How can we bring him back to life if he is killed without due process?” he moreover said.

According to Malacañang, the CHR probe is being undertaken to chiefly determine why no witnesses have come out to finger the DDS which have allegedly committed 800 extra-judicial killings in Davao since 1998. Charlie V. Manalo, with Riza Recio

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