CONFIDENCE LOST

Only Divine Intervention Can Stop Summary Killings

Councilor Emmanuel Galicia has lost confidence that the police can solve
the summary executions in the city, saying that only divine intervention
can stop the killings.

"If you can no longer depend on people, better seek God for help," Galicia
said.

Galicia is frustrated that law enforcement agencies until now do not have
concrete evidence that could pin down the perpetrators of the vigilante
killings.

The number of those summarily executed has already reached 48. Police
records, however, would show that almost all victims have a police record.

Galicia said whether authorities like it or not, Davao City's peace and
order condition has been affected by the reports of killings.

Galicia said in certain aspects of peace and order, like keeping Davao City
terrorist-free as no bombs exploded after the April 2 Seaport bombing,
Davaoenos cannot just close their eyes because summary executions still happen.

Galicia lamented that Davao City becomes popular globally because of the
vigilante killings.

He said many people now believe that it's a government-sponsored killings
even if this is repeatedly denied by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

"We cannot blame if the people believe such because the police has no
concrete report to present to the public," Galicia said.

Galicia said the vigilante killings may have helped deter drug related
crimes but the fact that people are killed and the police is clueless on
what lead to follow is no longer healthy.

P/Supt. Isidro Lapena on a press conference last Thursday said that the
problem in solving the series of killings in the city is because of the
lack of witnesses and cooperation of the family of the victims.

Lapena said the killings have instilled fear among drug addicts and pushers
thus they believed that it will help in curbing drug related crimes.

The implication of the killings on police work and the justice system was
not raised.