Commission on Human Rights to probe summary killings in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is slated to investigate starting today the series of summary executions in this southern metropolis that has largely been blamed on the vigilante group “Davao Death Squad.”

CHR Chairman Leila de Lima will lead a team of human rights experts in the three-day probe on the extrajudicial killings at the Mandaya Hotel.

De Lima earlier had expressed concern about the summary killings here, victimizing mostly suspected criminals and drug peddlers.

There have been nearly 40 victims of supposed summary executions since last January.

CHR-Southern Mindanao director Alberto Sipaco said the investigation is aimed at not only identifying those behind the killings but also those who support them.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte vowed to “fully cooperate” in the CHR probe, insisting that the summary killings were not state-sponsored but were done by rival criminals and gangs.

Duterte, who took full responsibility for not being able to stop the killings, said he would answer all questions during the CHR investigation.

Aside from Duterte, also invited to the probe are military and police officials as well as other local personalities who could shed light on the killings, including the victims’ relatives.

Sipaco said it is possible that on the third day of the probe, they would focus on the rape-slay of Rebelyn Pitao, the 21-year-old daughter of Leoncio Pitao, alias Commander Parago, who heads the New People’s Army Pulang Bagani 1 Command.

Armed men abducted the young Pitao last March 4, and her body was found in a shallow creek in Carmen, Davao del Norte the following day.