CHR a step closer to unveiling Davao death-squad mystery

The government has scored “breakthroughs” in documenting the vigilante-style killings being attributed to the so-called Davao Death Squads (DDS) and now appears to be some steps closer to unveiling the mystery behind these senseless killings.

“Apparently, concerned officials are still in the state of denial on what’s really happening in Davao. It is of course understandable at this point. For one, the ‘goings-on’ there is already a `public knowledge’ especially to the residents. But who is brave enough to expose himself knowing that his and his family’s life is on the line? Telling all in an open hearing is a major accomplishment to one self. Thus, for you (referring to the Task Force members) to assist us to document and persuade these people to testify poses a major challenge,” Commission on Human Rights spokesperson Leila De Lima as she addressed the first meeting of the recently formed Task Force DDS.

“Your cooperation to shed light on the vigilante-style killings perpetrated by the Davao Death Squads in the southern part of the country drives us even more to put an end to these senseless loss of lives especially involving minors,” she said as she egged on the Task Force individual members to work harder in order to shed light on the unexplained killings that had for quite a long time gripped the residents of Davao City and neighboring towns in fear.

A UN report quoted by the media said the unexplained killings in the city had the tacit approval of local officials and police officers assigned.

The DDS Task Force consists the Department of Justice, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Department of National Defense, Human Rights Affairs Office of both the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The officials of these agencies had vowed to fully cooperate wit the CHR in its thrust to unravel the truth behind the serial-like, unexplained killings in Davao City.

The idea of forming the DDS Task Force came from no less than PNP Chief Jesus A. Versoza sometime last March when he appeared in the first of the CHR public hearings looking into reports on the so-called death squads operating in Davao City.

De Lima told the representatives to the Task Force that the investigation the CHR conducted in Davao City was not in anyway motivated by any other reason other than by the mandate of the CHR “which is to protect, to promote and fulfill human rights of every individual.”

The CHR, according to De Lima, so far had achieved some ‘breakthroughs’ on its investigations. She said it was a rough sailing at first but eventually witnesses and informants came to the CHR and provided sensitive leads and information.

“DDS is no laughing matter and we maintain that it exits. Our priority now is witness protection for those who have cooperated and still to cooperate,” De Lima said.

The CHR will need about two more public hearings in Davao City and a final one at the CHR Central Office before it can issue a resolution on the matter. –Daily Tribune