MPD: Cops not involved in 'salvagings'

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District yesterday denied any hand in the spate of summary executions in the city even as MPD director Chief Superintendent Alejandro Gutierrez ordered his men to observe human rights and not get involved in illegal activities.

Gutierrez issued the directive in the wake of a story that came out in The STAR about speculations that the series of killings in Manila could be the handiwork of law enforcers.

Mayor Alfredo Lim had earlier instructed the MPD chief to investigate the summary executions in Smokey Mountain in Tondo.

At least four cases of “salvaging” were recorded from January to April this year, with most of the bodies dumped in Smokey Mountain.

Last Thursday and Friday, the bodies of two men were found in the area.

Gutierrez said he had instructed police commander Superintendent Alex Navarette to probe the incidents but made it clear that it is “not the policy of city officials or the police to engage in summary executions.”

Navarette believed that the victims were killed in other places and their bodies dumped in the city to mislead police.