Press Release
April 2, 2009

LET CHR DO ITS JOB- CHIZ
On extrajudicial killings in Davao

Sen. Chiz Escudero today said the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) should be allowed to complete its probe into the extrajudicial killings in Davao City before Congress initiates its own investigation into the matter.

"I hold the view that Congress, both the Senate and the House, should conduct an inquiry or investigation only when the government agency that is supposed to investigate is not doing its job. This is to avoid partisanship and allegations that it is being used as a political tool," the senator said.

Escudero, who is chair of the Senate justice and human rights committee, said that a parallel probe should only be undertaken into the allegations if the CHR is unable to perform its duty to uncover the truth into the allegations that a vigilante group is responsible for the killings.

"I urge the CHR to do its job with utmost zeal and impartiality," the opposition senator said.

"We should not condone any form of human rights violations committed by a person or agency of government, but in the process, neither should anyone's rights be trampled upon," he stressed.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casino had earlier cautioned House Speaker Prospero Nograles that his instruction for the House human rights committee to conduct its own probe into the killings could "evolve into a political issue" because of the Speaker's longtime political feud with Duterte.

Casino suggested instead that the probe should include cases of extrajudicial killings, many of them involving members of militant groups, all over the country. In the Davao killings, many of those killed were reportedly involved in illegal drugs and other criminal activity.

Duterte relinquished his supervisory role over the Davao City police force and resigned as chairman of National Police Commission (Napolcom) to give the CHR a free hand in its investigation which the human right body initiated last week.

Escudero said Duterte should be commended for resigning from his post at Napolcom and that other public officials who are subjects of investigations should follow his lead.

"Mayor Duterte should be emulated by other public officials. This is a noble gesture on his part because it will remove any suspicion that may be cast on the outcome of the investigation," he said.

Escudero said the mayor should reassume his vacated position as soon as the CHR clears his name.

"The maintenance of peace and order has been his major achievement in Davao City. I think the people of Davao expect nothing less," the opposition senator said.

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