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Friday, September 12, 2003
Journalists seek House inquiry on Davao killings
THE Davao chapter of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) called Thursday for a congressional inquiry on the killing of hard-hitting broadcaster Juan Porras Pala and the summary executions of theft and drug suspects in Davao City.
This developed as NUJP, an organization of working journalists nationwide, also accused the Davao City Government of not respecting due process and creating an "atmosphere of impunity".
NUJP spearheaded nationwide rallies Thursday to protest the killing of media practitioners.
NUJP Davao coordinator Carlos Conde said they are now drafting their formal request for a congressional inquiry on the killing of Pala and the summary executions of theft and drug suspects.
At least 27 drug suspects, most of whom had just been released from jail, were killed by suspected the anti-drug vigilante group, the Davao Death Squad. These killings have remained unsolved.
Conde said the administration of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is a failure in terms of observing due process that ought to be given to suspected criminals and journalists critical of his administration.
He said killing a person in this city is as easy as killing a pig in the slaughterhouse.
"Walay panuko ang anaa sa gahum nga mupatay, ma-journalist ka man o ma-ordinaryong citizen (Those in power have no hesitation to kill a journalist or any ordinary citizen). Kung hindi si Pala, ikaw o ako. Napakadaling pumatay sa Davao," he said.
But Conde was quick to add that he is not accusing the Duterte administration of having a hand in the series of summary killings perpetrated against suspected theft and drug pushers and users and of late on the ambush of radio broadcaster Juan Porras Pala.
He said it is also impossible for the New People's Army (NPA) to be the ones responsible for Pala's death.
"Maayo man untag NPA ang ginabirahan ni Pala sa iyang programa. Pero wala ko miingon na ang ginabirahan niya (Pala) ang maoy mipatay niya ha (It's not as if the NPA has been the recent subject of attacks by Pala. Although I don't mean the subject of Pala's tirades are the ones behind his murder)," Conde said. BOT
(September 12, 2003 issue) |
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