VIGILANTES BUG ANTI-CRIME DRIVE IN DAVAO SUR TOWN

STA. Cruz, Davao del Sur--The local government has condemned the summary
executions of suspected drug users and purshers even as it described the
murders as detrimental to the implementation of the government's campaign
against illegal drugs in the province.

Mayor Joel Ray Lopez said killings of drug suspects derail the campaign
against prohibited drugs in his municipality. He said if these
assassinations would go on, these might spoil the people's confidence and
eventually make them withdraw their commitment to support the program.

Armed men believed to be members of the dreaded ''death squad'' killed at
least five suspected pushers over the weekend in Sta. Cruz town. The latest
reported victims were Leonard Ramos, Bertahim Samping, Alex Quirante,
Raymund Olivares and Leopoldo Albina.

The Sangguniang Bayan has passed a resolution asking the Philippine
National Police (PNP) to put an end to summary executions and conduct a
thorough investigation into the series of killings in the town.

The municipal government earlier launched a program that offers livelihood
assistance to reformed drug users and peddlers. Mayor Lopez has allocated
P3 million for the program.

As a result, over 100 drug pushers and dependents surrendered to avail the
offer of the benefits from the local government.

Earlier, Rep. Douglas Cagas of the 1st District of the province sounded
alarm bells over the mysterious killings even as he urged the police to do
something. Otherwise, he said he would raise the issue in the Lower House
and ask the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to step in.