GROUP URGES GMA: HELP STOP SUMMARY EXECUTIONS

THE Coalition against Summary Executions (CASE) has called on
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to help in stopping the summary killings.

The group also ordered the President to investigate the murders which
were allegedly the handiwork of hitmen.

"We call on the President to immediately intervene by exhausting all
legal remedies to stop the killings in Davao City and order a thorough
investigation in order to give justice to victims," Case said in a
presss release.

The group has vowed to intensify its campaign against these killings.
CASE is a multi-sectoral group advocating against summary executions.

In its press statement, CASE said members of the group behind these
killings have intensified their activities as the number of victims
since the start of the year has gone up to 60.

It added that the number of those summarily executed in 2001 reached
to 239 and there were 98 others last year.

CASE said among those killed were minors Mark Quizo, 14; and John
Lloyd Dagoy, 12.

Advocating for due process, CASE said the murder of these suspects was
a violation of the law considering that only the courts can declare
anyone guilty of any crime.

"Summary execution, as an act of annihilation of suspected criminals,
is unlawful and a clear violation of human rights and childrens
rights," CASE said.

CASE lamented that for the past two years, no case has prospered in
court and no witness has come out, an indication that the police slept
on its job of running after killers.

"The plague in the city is alarming and should have activated the
government bureaucracy in the context of social and humanitarian well
being of its continuants."

"The promotion and protection of human rights is a state obligation.
In Davao City, the local government bears this obligation. However,
there seems to be neglect as manifested in the increasing number of
summary killings and cases of which remain unsolved," CASE said.

It added that the rise in criminality corresponds to the rise in
poverty incidence. "To solve criminality, it is but necessary to
address the economic needs of the community. But this does not
discount the fact that there is a need to strengthen our judicial
system" it added.

It also blamed the city government for failing to protect the victims,
an indication that it has become so helpless in running after the
killers. CASE reminded the city government that its mandate emanates
from the people, including the poor and those individuals suspected of
committing crimes.

"We, therefore call on the local government to take its responsibility
and act for speedy resolution of cases of summary executions and
recognized summary killings as human rights violation. We call on the
Davaoenos to be more vigilant and take an active role in upholding and
defending human rights," it added.