DAVAO CITY, January 27, 2009—Saying that the extra-judicial killings in Davao is already a chronic problem in which no single case has been resolved, Redemptorist Priest Fr. Amado Picardal criticized the seeming tolerance exerted by the people particularly the local officials.

Picardal said that the Davao killings continue because there is no public outcry against these violence and many think that they are justified.

Since the term Davao Death Squad (DDS) was known, most of the victims of the killings were suspected petty criminals, juvenile delinquents, addicts, drug pushers, and thieves.

“They were just meted death penalty by those who have become judge, jury, and executioner. What is even alarming is that this type of killing is expanding to other cities in the country,” said Picardal.

Last year, there were 269 victims of the DDS and just during the first three weeks of this month, 29 people were already killed.

“We have kept on denouncing these killings over the years and it seems that we have failed to stop them. We have been reduced to counting the victims of the DDS. What is more frustrating is that the government, both national and local, has not done anything to investigate these killings,” said Picardal, adding:

“It makes us wonder if they are being tolerated, sanctioned or even inspired by the powers that be. After all, a top local government executive was quoted in the newspapers as saying: the death penalty was never been lifted in Davao.”

Picardal said that they will continue to raise their voices against the continued killings in the city.

“I guess, this is another manifestation of the culture of death that pervades in our land. I hope that someday, those responsible for these killings will face God’s judgment—in this life or the next,” said Picardal.

Picardal recently attended the meeting of the Council of Leaders of the Coalition Against Summary Execution (CASE). (Mark S. Ventura)