Pubdate: Sun, 16 Jan 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: PR
Cited: Philippine National Police http://www.pnp.gov.ph
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)

MILITANTS CONDEMN SUMMARY KILLINGS

MILITANT group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) condemned the alarming 
rate of summary killings in the city that has reached 22 in 15 days.

In a press statement, Bayan said they perceive that summary executions have 
been used to condition the people's minds that killing drug abusers and 
petty criminals without due process is acceptable.

"Such mechanism was reportedly used to solve the drug-and-crime problems in 
the society by sowing fear in local communities and nearby provinces," the 
statement added.

Bayan said the series of summary killings is highly condemnable as it 
violates the very fundamental rights of the people.

The victims, who mostly come from the marginalized sectors, fell from the 
ruthless and unjust system of the State.

"While the number of summary execution victims continue to ride, the 
defense arm of both the national and local governments like the PNP, the 
TFD (Task Force Davao) and the AFP remain inutile as they capture not even 
one of the perpetrators. Their inutility and tolerance only adds proof that 
summary killings in the region is state-sponsored," the statement said.

Bayan also condemned the brutal killings of Albert Canedo and Jun Rey 
Reducto, both members of Anakbayan who fell from the cold-blooded hands of 
bicycle-riding men.

Canedo and Reducto have no criminal records and are known from their 
communities as active members of the said youth organization.

Bayan fears that summary killings will become a way to eliminate 
progressive leaders and members like what happened to Canedo and Reducto.
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