Thursday, 15 September 2016
In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement called for the immediate investigation and prosecution of the Davao Death Squad in the light of yesterday’s Senate hearing on extrajudicial killings.
Ellecer Carlos, iDEFEND spokesperson, called the witness account of Edgar Matobato a horror story of unbridled criminality in Davao during President Duterte’s term as mayor of the city. Duterte has publicly admitted his connection to the Davao Death Squad and pledged to replicate their methods in Manila.
Carlos added that attempts to discredit the witness should be channeled instead on getting into the truth of the accounts of the killings. iDEFEND reiterates that criminality cannot be solved with another crime wave. The rule of law, respect for human rights, and an effective justice system is the best solution to crime and chaos.
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In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND) is a growing broad coalition of non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs), individual HRDs, human rights lawyers, religious sector and members of the academe which came together to defend and assert human rights for all.
CONTACT PERSON:
Rose Trajano
Convenor
0917-308-2409
pahra@philippinehumanrights.org