No let-up in Davao ‘salvagings’

DAVAO CITY — There appears to be no let-up in the series of "salvagings" (summary killings) of suspected criminal elements and drug pushers here, which, in the past two weeks, have claimed 10 lives.

The killings were attributed to the shadowy "Davao Death Squad," a group of vigilantes who ride on motorcycles and wear ski masks during their operations, some in broad daylight and on busy streets.

However, another vigilante group, which calls itself "Los Pepes," has also claimed responsibility for the killings.

The latest "salvaging" victim, a certain Larry Anub, 30, a suspected drug pusher, was gunned down at about 11:30 p.m. the other day along Sparrow and Candelaria streets in Ecoland Subdivision.

Curiously though, Davaoeños have been silent on the killings, some of them saying they agree with vigilanteeism to rid the city of drug pushers.

Police authorities, however, dismissed the existence of vigilante groups, saying the killings could have resulted from rivalries of drug syndicates in the city.

The killings occurred as Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he would totally rid the city of drug pushers by December. He, however, denied any involvement in the "salvagings."