Pubdate: Thu, 21 Apr 2005
Source: Freeman, The (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 The Freeman
Contact:  http://www.thefreeman.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3437
Author: Ryan P. Borinaga
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Summary+Execution
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

CHR CLUELESS IN PROBE ON "VIGILANTE" KILLINGS

The Commission on Human Rights yesterday admitted that it is facing a blank 
wall in its efforts to unmask the so-called vigilantes operating in the city.

Alejandro Alonzo, CHR regional director, said the evidence they obtained in 
their three-month investigation failed to identify any responsible for the 
series of summary executions in the city since there were no available 
witnesses.

But he stressed this failure should not be compared with the police's 
inability to solve the vigilante-style killings because the law enforcement 
agency has all the resources in its investigations.

Alonzo said that unlike the CHR, the police have barangay intelligence 
network and other intelligence units as well as the crime laboratory where 
the evidence could be confirmed and examined.

"Why can they solve other cases in a short time? Nganong kaning salvaging 
dugay man? The police have all the resources in their command. They have 
the intelligence fund to buy information," Alonzo pointed out.

But acting city director Melvin Gayotin said they actually lack the 
manpower and equipment in their effort to solve the spate of summary 
executions in the city, aside from having a hard time finding witnesses and 
complainants.

At least 46 notorious personalities, 11 of whom were believed to be 
involved in illegal drugs, were killed since last December by a suspected 
vigilante group operating in the city.

Some of those being killed were once detained at the Bagong Buhay 
Rehabilitation Center for robbery, snatching, theft and other crimes.

Aside from the CHR, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines was also alarmed 
by the series of summary executions in the city.

The group of lawyers blamed Mayor Tomas Osmena for the spate of 
vigilante-style killings because these started a day after he announced he 
was forming a team to go after the criminals in the city.
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