‘NO’ TO VIGILANTE KILLINGS

Police Chief Supt. Noli Taliño

A group of Cebuano lawyers have sought the support of Vice President Leni Robredo to stem the rash of vigilante-style killings of drug suspects in Cebu amid suspicion that some policemen themselves might be involved in these killings.

However, even as human rights groups decried as alarming the series of killings of drug suspects by unknown assailants, the business sector was split, with some reportedly quietly supporting the way Cebu’s streets were being made safe from criminal elements.

Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), on Thursday tried to put a lid on the concern expressed by some sectors by directing all police chiefs in the region to investigate and identify those behind the summary execution of suspected drug pushers.

Since July 1, at least 16 drug peddlers were killed by still unknown assailants in the region.

In Cebu City alone, three more persons were gunned down by unidentified persons in separate incidents since Thursday evening. Three other suspected drug peddlers were summarily executed the other day.

Taliño said he was looking into three groups of suspects.

“It’s either they were killed by cohorts in the illegal drugs trade or maybe, as the media surmised, by some undercover policemen, or perhaps by vigilantes. That’s why we need to dig deeper and investigate,” he said during Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (Tsip) Forum at the PRO-7 Media Center yesterday.

Taliño also called on the public to help them identify the perpetrators by sending any information to the three PRO-7 hotlines: 09294783231, 09164932111, 09427641609.

“If indeed vigilantes exist, we won’t hesitate to file cases against the perpetrators. As I said, vigilantism is not allowed and is against the law,” he said.

Multisectoral alliance

Alarmed by the spate of killings in Cebu, human rights lawyer Democrito Barcenas has proposed the creation of a multisectoral alliance that will fight supposed vigilantes on two fronts: legally and through public opinion.

Barcenas, chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group in Central Visayas (Flag-7), on Wednesday presented the idea to Vice President Leni Robredo who, he said, gave her all-out support to their effort.

“She was very much in favor of it,” he told CDN.

Barcenas called on the Church, members of the academe, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and Commission on Human Rights, among others, to join hands in fighting extrajudicial killings.

“We’re not against the campaign to eliminate illegal drugs. In fact, we support that. However, due process and the rule of law must be observed,” he said.

Even policemen, who kill suspected drug personalities in what they considered as shootouts, should be investigated, Barcenas said.

“President Rodrigo Duterte announced to eliminate illegal drugs in three to six months. The problem is it seems that our policemen are now pressured to deliver the promise,” he said.

Asked whom he believed was behind the summary executions, the veteran lawyer said, “Who else will do it? The Catholic Church or the IBP? I don’t think so.”

Atty. Democrito Barcenas

Barcenas reminded the government to uphold the rule of law and let justice take its course.

“I don’t think killing criminals will solve the problem on illegal drugs. This problem boils down to something deeper. It’s a very complex problem that is rooted in poverty, family, loneliness and other factors,” he said.

“And I would like to remind the government that the sixth commandment has not been amended. It’s still ‘Thou shall not kill.’ It doesn’t say, ‘Thou shall not kill unless the victim is a drug pusher,’” he added.

Mother of all crimes

But Taliño said the relentess police operations against illegal drugs and other forms of criminalities have now shown results, with the reduction of crime figures in Central Visayas.

Almost all forms of crimes, including robbery and theft, have dropped. However, murder and homicide have increased due to the armed encounters between policemen and suspected drug pushers, Taliño said.

“Illegal drugs is (sic) the mother of all crimes. Other crimes emanate from drugs: robbery, theft and rape, among others. To be honest, the problem on illegal drugs is getting worse. That is why we need to do something,” Taliño said.

He said policemen were motivated to fight illegal drugs now because they had the full support of President Duterte and PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Taliño said he was optimistic that they could eliminate illegal drugs within the time frame given by the President.

“With the support of all sectors, three to six months is doable,” he said.

Taliño said police station chiefs were mandated to “clear” half of the drug personalities in their respective areas within the first three months. In the succeeding months, policemen have to get all their remaining targets.

“Our police chiefs will be evaluated every week. If they don’t perform well, then they will be relieved from their posts,” he said.

So far, policemen have convinced 57,902 drug users and 4 drug pushers in the region to surrender in their Oplan Tokhang operations.

Since July 1, 38 drug pushers were killed in alleged shootout with the police and 16 by unknown assailants.

Supt. Henry Biñas, head of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, said he requested all police station chiefs to have a separate folder for cases involving alleged vigilante-style killings.

Last Thursday, at past 11 p.m., suspected drug pusher Pakloy Nabua was shot dead by an unidentified gunman while he was sleeping on a folding bed with his one-year-old daughter in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City. The perpetrator shot Nabua several times before he casually walked away toward a get-away motorcycle, a witness told the police.

Three hours after, two still unidentified men were gunned down by two motorcycle-riding persons along Wisdom Streetin Barangay Lahug, Cebu City. The two victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds on their bodies and heads. Recovered from the crime scene were seven empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol.

Police investigators have yet to establish the identity of the two victims and as to whether or not they were on their drugs watch list.

The means that meet the end

Gordon Alan “Dondi” Joseph, Cebu Business Club (CBC) president, said the possible rise of vigilantism in Cebu might not be good for the province as a tourism destination and for business investors.

“Violence is always abhorred by tourists. Foreigners in general, especially those from Europe, are very sensitive to violence and may stay away from the Philippines,” he told CDN in a text message.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Glenn Soco said it was still premature to conclude that the recent incidents were acts of vigilantism.

“So far, there has been an air of optimism as far as tourism and investments in Cebu is concerned,” he said.

Soco said authorities should be allowed to do their job and that the public should remain prudent and objective.

Federico Escalona, executive director of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) in Cebu, said vigilantism should not be tolerated anywhere in the country because innocent people might become victims too.

“If those killed are indeed drug lords and pushers, then I am for it provided the rules of engagement are first observed,” he said.

But Ma. Teresa Chan, past president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), said the killings would not pose a threat to businesses for as long as the victims are not tourists but thieves, drug pushers, and other criminal elements.

“I don’t think tourists will feel threatened,” she said.

Chan said the lower crime rates for petty crimes, such as snatching and pickpocketing that were recently reported nationwide, all favor tourism.
“(This is especially true) if media will highlight that fact and tourism campaigns will emphasize that we are now a safer place except for drug pushers,” she added.

Philip Tan, MCCI past president, said that the drug problem in the country needs immediate action and some people can no longer wait.
“While we adhere to the rule of law, the frustration sometimes warrants the means that meets the end,” he said. /with UP CEBU INTERN AMY MACALINAO