7 PUSHERS TOLD TO LEAVE DAVAO CITY

DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte Sunday read in public another list of
suspected drug pushers, warning them to stop their trade, leave the city in
one week's time, or be prepared "to die in the hands of neighbors".

The mayor actually read a shorter list of only seven suspected pushers over
his weekly television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" yesterday
morning.

The mayor read a letter he received from a concerned citizen in Aurora
street this city revealing the names of the persons who are suspected to be
behind the proliferation of illegal drugs in the said area - Barangay 29.

Duterte read the names over his TV program without specifically mentioning
their surnames. The mayor said he would give the suspects only one week to
reform or get out of Davao City or face the "law".

The mayor was however quick to deny that the dreaded Davao Death Squad will
once again strike.

"Dili tinuod ang DDS, ang mutigbas ninyo silingan ra pud ninyo (DDS does not
exist. The ones who will hack you dead will just be your neighbors)," he
said.

Duterte had been associated with the vigilante group but had been denying it
for most of the times.

Sometime in September last year, Duterte said the names of more than 500
suspected drug pushers over his television program. The reading stirred the
community and caused the surrender and flight of many suspects.

A funeral parlor, anticipating massive extrajudicial killing of pushers,
stockpiled at least three truckloads of lumber used in making coffins.