MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo has ordered the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to cooperate and give their full support to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in its probe of unexplained killings in Davao City.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde welcomed the probe by the CHR, saying it is part of its mandate to investigate cases involving alleged human rights violations.
It was reported that since 1998, a total of 814 deaths attributed to “vigilantes” have been recorded in Davao City, and for the first three months of the year, 40 unexplained killings occurred.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said the Palace is totally committed to identify perpetrators of killings in Davao City.
A vigilante group known as the Davao Death Squad (DDS) has been reportedly behind the killings.
Its victims were mostly suspected criminals, particularly drug dealers.
At a hearing/inquiry being conducted by the CHR from March 30 to 31 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte vowed to cooperate with the probe and took full responsibility for the unabated killings.
Apart from the deaths of known criminals, the CHR is also expected to investigate the murders of political activists and their relatives.
These include the rape and murder of teacher Rebelyn Pitao, daughter of New People’s Army commander Leoncio Pitao, alias Commander Parago, in Davao del Norte early this month.
The administration has been criticized for the high incidence of unexplained killings involving political activists and journalists.
Malacañang, however, has denied the involvement of government security forces in the murders and vowed to punish anyone found engaged in such activities.
“We are here to uncover the truth. It cannot be stated more succinctly — we are here to put a stop to these vigilante-style killings,” CHR chair Leila de Lima said in her opening message in yesterday’s public hearing conducted with commissioners Ma. Victoria Cardona and Norberto de la Cruz.
De Lima said the probe also seeks to save the ‘‘psyche’’ of the Davaoeños –“to remove this terrible stigma over their city, to lift the fear for their own rights and lives” over the issue on summary executions that have gone unabated since the 1990s.
Meanwhile, PNP chief Director Jesus Verzosa also pushed for the creation of an inter-agency task force that would look specifically into the killings in Davao City. – Marvin Sy, Edith Regalado, Katherine Adraneda, Philippine Star
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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