Pinuna ng Human Rights Watch (HRW) na nakabase sa New York ang Department of Justice (DoJ) sa pagpapatigil sa imbestigasyon ng kagawaran kaugnay ng mga operasyon ng Davao Death Squad (DDS), na matagal nang iniuugnay kay presumptive President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Sa pamamagitan ni Phelim Kine, Asia Division deputy director, sinabi ng HRW na ang ginawa ng DoJ “shows a disturbing failure to address the serious problem of government-linked killings across the Philippines.”
Una nang nagreklamo si Kine na seryoso ang banta ni Duterte matapos na palihim na mag-imbestiga ang HRW sa pagpaslang sa mahigit 1,400 katao sa Davao City simula nang manungkulan si Duterte bilang alkalde ng lungsod.
“The decision sends a chilling message that those responsible for targeted killings don’t need to fear about being punished for their egregious crimes,” saad sa pahayag ni Kine.
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Ibinunyag pa ng HRW na batay sa mga pagsisiyasat nito noong 2009 at 2014, kahit ang mga batang edad 14 ay pinapatay sa Davao City, Tagum City, at sa iba pang lugar sa Pilipinas.
Iginiit ng grupo na sila “[have] uncovered compelling evidence that officials and police were directly involved in those crimes.”
“The government has obligations under Philippine and international law to bring to justice those responsible for the Davao Death Squad, the Tagum Death Squad, and similar criminal operations. They have no place in a rights-respecting democratic society,” ayon pa sa HRW.
“The government should immediately reopen its investigation into the Davao Death Squad and redouble its efforts to bring the killers to justice. Law enforcement officials have a duty to uphold the law and they should demonstrate their determination to do so.” - Chito A. Chavez
