Davao death squads

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The summary executions of victims in Davao by the Davao Death Squads is an ongoing problem. In Davao City, there is currently a vigilante group called the "Davao Death Squad," or simply "DDS," which is well-known throughout the nation. The victims are usually homeless children and women and girls trapped in the brutal human trafficking trade in Davao.

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[edit] Statistics

By August 2, 2004, the Mindanao Times, in its latest tally, has counted 52 summary-killing incidents involving many more individuals by the Davao Death Squad. [1] In the first three months of 2005 there were 72 executions alone. [2]

[edit] Response From Human Rights Groups

Human Rights Group FIND's (Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance) Search and Forensic Team, with investigators from the Commission on Human Rights have uncovered killing fields where skeletal remains of victims of the shadowy Davao Death Squads are dumped.[3] Human Rights Commissioner Dominador Calamba II has indicated that local executives and the police knew the criminals but were "seemingly tolerating" them.[4]Even when the killers are known they are not brought to justice,[5] Human rights groups said the killings have become an unwritten government policy to deal with so called crime.[6]

Since 1998 over 300 people have been killed in Davao City by so-called death squads according to Amnesty and local human rights groups.[7]Amnesty International states, Killings and extrajudicial executions continued throughout the year, particularly of criminal suspects. In Mindanao many such killings, including those of minors, were attributed to the so-called “Davao Death Squad” vigilante group. It was reported that local officials in some areas advocated a “shoot to kill” policy with respect to criminal suspects resisting arrest.[8]

[edit] Protests

In 2004, Thousands of people from all walks of life joined the procession (walk for peace) and ecumenical prayer yesterday to denounce the summary killings being perpetrated by the Davao Death Squad.[9]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Alleba Politics » Blog Archive » Davao Death Squad
  2. ^ Philippine death squads extend their reach - International Herald Tribune
  3. ^ Preda Foundation, Inc. NEWS/ARTICLES: "Killing Fields Found in Davao, Children Shot"
  4. ^ Preda Foundation, Inc. Deaths Squads: Summary of Davao Death Squad Reports
  5. ^ Teenagers Perish in Davao’s Killing Fields
  6. ^ Philippine death squads extend their reach - International Herald Tribune
  7. ^ AsiaMedia :: PHILIPPINES: Filipino journalists face brutal death squads
  8. ^ Amnesty International
  9. ^ PIA Information Services - Philippine Information Agency

[edit] See also

Death squad

[edit] External links