By Shayne R. Burnham
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

MANILA, Philippines – Human Rights Watch calls upon the government of the Philippines to investigate and hold accountable members of the “Death Squad” for extrajudicial killings in Davao City on the southeastern island of Mindanao.

Supplementing this announcement is a 103 page report, “You Can Die Any Time: Death Squad Killings in Mindanao.”  This report reveals the involvement of local officials in targeted killings of drug dealers, petty criminals and street children.  Human Rights Watch investigated 28 cases and interviewed more than 50 people including victims’ families, witnesses, local and government officials, and journalists.

Human Rights Watch identified a pattern of the killings that took place.  Typically, two or three Death Squad members arrive on unmarked motorcycles.  They wear baggy shirts in order to conceal their weapons, usually a knife or .45 caliber handgun.  They wear baseball caps, doing little to cover their faces.  They attack at any time, frequently during the day.  They do not fear witnesses, often threatening them that they would be next if they talked to the police.  Notably, when an attack occurs, the police arrive late, so that perpetrators have a chance to escape.  Police are also known to fail to collect obvious evidence and to follow up in their investigations.

Local officials generally have a list of persons who are engaging in criminal activities.  Local level officials warn the people that if they do not stop, they will be killed.

Most members are former communist New Army insurgents or those who were formerly on the “list” to avoid getting killed.  They are then trained by police officers who provide them with weapons and information about their victims.

“The hundreds of targeted killings in Davao City in recent years are clearly not random events but the result of planned hits by a ‘death squad’ that involves police officers and local officials,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch.  “The police consistently fail to bring the perpetrators to justice, while the local government cheers from the sidelines.”

Director General, Jesus Verzosa, chief of the Philippine National Police, denies any involvement in the death squads.  He said, “We acknowledge that human rights organizations documenting the series of alleged vigilante killings in Davao city are well-intentioned, but we completely disagree with their pronouncements that these cases were state-sponsored.  He added that charges, “should be backed by evidence so taht appropriate cases may be pursued and filed before the courts of law.”

Mayor of Davao City, Rodrigo Duterte, defends the existence of death squads, stating that their presence serves as a deterrent to crime and ensures that the community is safe.

The Philippine government, under the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, has been accused of inaction and even supporting targeted killings.  President Arroyo had appointed Duterte as her consultant on peace and order in 2003.

“Arroyo has been taking security advice from someone who openly advocates murder to bring peace and prosperity,” said Roth.  “But this needs to stop.  The Arroyo government should send a clear message to local officials and the police that the killings of petty criminals, drug users, and street children will not be tolerated.”

For more information, please see:

GMANews.TV – HRW Report: How Davao City’s Squad Killers Get Away with Murder – 7 April 2009

Human Rights Watch – Philippines: Dismantle ‘Davao Death Squad’ – 6 April 2009

Inquirer Mindanao – Prove It, PNP Chief Dares Rights Groups – 8 April 2009