Pubdate: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (Philippines) Copyright: 2005 Philippine Daily Inquirer Contact: http://www.inquirer.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1073 Author: Margaux C. Ortiz Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Summary+Execution (Summary Execution) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines CRIME GROUPS BEHIND KILLINGS CRIMINAL GROUPS could be behind the spate of summary executions in Manila in the past months. "Most of the groups' victims were drug couriers or runners who had apparently displeased them," said Senior Insp. Dominador Arevalo, Manila Police District Homicide Section chief. The 10th victim of possible summary execution since July was found floating in a creek in Quiapo, Manila Wednesday morning. The victim, a male, was wearing a black sleeveless shirt and denim shorts, about 20 to 25 years old and 5'4" tall. A nylon cord was tied to his neck and he had three gunshot wounds in different parts of the body. Arevalo said most of the victims were found in areas close to the Islamic Center in Quiapo, and the Baseco Compound and Isla Puting Bato in Tondo. The witnesses would initially share information with the police, but would later refuse to put their statements in writing, Arevalo lamented. - ---