MERGED: Vigilantism and related issues

[mannyamador]

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Just because you are PROLIFE and ANTI V makes you a better SPRINGFIELD

A better springfield? Please don't associate me with your ilk! You can go back to torturing cats now and nurturing your killer tendencies.

[mannyamador]

In Davao, the death squads murder the innocent too (just like in Cebu)!

Mandate
By Carlos Isagani T. Zarate
http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/col_krm/2004/jul05.htm

FOR several weeks now, the crusading dxMF-Radyo Bombo Davao has been airing at least five times a day this three-minute heart-wrenching narrative: On May 28, around 9 p.m., Ermelino Castillones and his 12-year-old grandson, John Lloyd Nepthalie Dagoy, were walking home in Matina Aplaya, Davao City, when motorcycle-riding gunmen repeatedly shot them dead.

"First to be shot was the grandfather, he died on the spot," so goes the booming voice in Cebuano.

"The boy, John Lloyd, managed to run but the gunmen chased him. He cried for help; he pleaded for mercy but the gunmen finished him off."

Punctuating this radio message of the merciless killing of young John Lloyd is the voice of his wailing mother demanding justice, wondering why her young was not spared from the killings that have now become an almost daily occurrence in the city and nearby areas. The dxMF's info-plug then ends with a call for a stop to summary executions.

Bombo Radyo is only the latest from the ranks of alarmed human rights groups, lawyers' groups, NGOs and church peoples to express disgust over the unabated summary executions in the city. Last Lenten season, Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, who is also the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, issued a strongly worded statement condemning vigilante killings. But the killings continue.

This prompted the Mindanao Times, one of the city's oldest daily newspapers, to put a tally box on its front page, with the words "2004 vigilante killings" superimposed on a skull with crossbones. "It's not a simple body count," said Times editor Amy Cabusao. "It's our paper's statement against the summary killings: to remind the public that daily, people are summarily killed in the city."

As of Friday, July 2, the Times tally counted 30 victims since January, the last two of whom were killed barely 12 hours after Mayor Rodrigo Duterte vowed in his inaugural speech that "criminals and lawless elements cannot be allowed to roam the streets freely." Duterte, elected to an unprecedented fifth term, also warned during his inaugural speech: "We will consider that they have placed their lives on the line when they engaged in the illegal drug trade."

While Duterte's agenda for the next three years is laced with pledges to push for gender, peace and development issues-shelter program for the city's urban poor, pump-priming the city's economy through tourism and infrastructure projects, support for the Moro's quest for self-determination and a reproductive health program-it is clear there will be no deviation from his hard-hitting style of governance which characterized his previous four terms.

Time and again, Duterte denies any involvement with anti-crime vigilante groups, particularly the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS). He in fact admits that such killings are indeed against the law. But, if so, his critics ask, why do vigilante killings intensify during his watch as city mayor? It may be worthy to note that some victims were killed after he named them as crime suspects in his weekly TV program. Thus, despite his denials, the link apparently has become an accepted fact to many-supporters and critics alike.

Indeed, despite the huge budget given by the Duterte administration to the local police force, not a single case of the more than 200 vigilante killings since 2001 has been solved. The military's Task Force Davao (formed after the April 2002 twin Davao bombings) is supposed to be an augmentation to the city's crime prevention capabilities. Still, local authorities have failed to stop the killings, a significant number of which were committed in broad daylight, even near police stations.

Until now, the police do not admit the existence of the DDS, claiming these motorcycle-riding killers are just members of rival syndicates out to eliminate competition. Why then can't they run after these people, who are seemingly known to them, for how else could they explain exactly where they come from?

Of the 200 victims recorded by the Coalition Against Summary Executions (CASE) during the period July 2001 to June 10, 2004, 98 were killed last year, 17 were minors (including a girl) whose ages ranged from 12 to 17 years old. While most victims were males, 12 were female. Some of the victims were killed in the streets; others inside their residences. These self-styled vigilantes do not even respect "holy places." Two of last year's killings were perpetrated in the vicinity of the Sta. Ana Shrine and the Redemptorist Church.

CASE also reported that 167 or 84 percent of the victims were killed with guns, usually a .45 caliber pistol. In most cases, the police are quick to point that the victims had previous police and court records or were in the watch list for involvement in theft, snatching and other crimes.

Duterte's fresh mandate in the last elections may mean that his style of governance is supported by the majority of the people in Davao. Other local chief executives who are starting to use the same anti-crime method may offer a similar argument.

There is no debate that criminality must be addressed seriously. But, then, does the mandate given by the people authorize criminals, like the DDS, to solve the problem outside the pale of law, as local officials watch? Does it mean in doing all that is "humanly possible to protect and defend the rights and interest of the people," the rights of the likes of young John Lloyd do not matter?

[giver_bert]

still hold the same sentiments as before.. and even after i almost got killed by some pesky snatchers.. a big NO for extra judicial killings..

false is the idea of efficacy that sacrifices a thousand real advantages for one instantaneous or trifling convenience that has no remedy for evils except destruction.. can it be supposed that those who have the courage to violate the most revered laws of humanity, the most important of the code, will respect the less important and arbitrary ones, which can be violated with ease and impunity, and which, if strictly obeyed, would put an end to personal liberty... and subject innocent persons to all the vexations that the guilty alone ought to suffer? such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants.. they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.. they ought to be designated as laws not preventive but fearful of crimes, produced by the tumultuous impression of a few isolated facts, and not by thoughtful consideration of the inconveniences and advantages of a universal decree..

[finepix]

http://rsuello.blogspot.com/2006/10/...isibility.html

[mannyamador]

still hold the same sentiments as before.. and even after i almost got killed by some pesky snatchers.. a big NO for extra judicial killings..

I commend you bro! :mrgreen:

[chad_tukes]

Those who are Pro-Vigilante does not have any regards to life whatsoever.

[mannyamador]

Those who are Pro-Vigilante does not have any regards to life whatsoever.

CORRECT!

By the way, the vigilantes have claimed another INNOCENT victim. Mildred Torres, the live-in partner of another vigilante victim, was wounded in the reckless vigilante attack. No matter what anyone says about her partner, Ms. Torres was innocent. But of course the pro-Vs will just dismiss this grave injustice as "collateral damage". What idiocy!

[Gwynhuever]

ako sad ...after all is said and done...i am against vigilantism...

[jugs_06]

haha.. mao mao.. ako pud forever anti-V..

[SPRINGFIELD_XD_40]

MANNYBOY ... stick to the topic . What has cats and ants got to do with you as a PRO LIFE ADVOCATOR kuno ?

Again ... all was said and put out frokm different opinions and mindsets wether its a PRO or ANTI . Isnt it time for the ANTI VIGILANTE to provide the proper and realistic solution so a VIGILANTE will not be needed anymore ? Paging Mr MANNYBOY ... I am still waiting and I am not anticipating again behind your opinions as a PRO LIFE for ANIMALS .

Again , dont let the MEDIA direct your life and 411 . They are just for entertainment and we all know that specially to our age now of general knowledge . Again am I paging to someone or a specific person ?