Gunmen Kill Woman In Davao Attack

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 24, 2008) – Motorcycle gunmen killed a female caretaker of a boarding house in the southern Philippine city of Davao, police said Wednesday.

Police said Evelyn Lantion was shot at around 5 p.m. on Tuesday in front of her boarding house in Catalunan Pequeno village. The assailants escaped after the shooting, police said.

It was not immediately known whether the attack was carried out by anti-crime vigilantes or hired killers.

Unsolved killings in the city were largely blamed on the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) vigilantes who had murdered hundreds of mostly criminals or those with police records the past years.

Little was known about the shadowy group, but relatives and families of those who fell victims to the DDS accused authorities as behind the killings. (Romy Bwaga)

Extrajudicial Killings Continue In Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 16, 2008) – Two gunmen shot dead a man previously jailed for robbery in Davao City in the southern Philippines, police said Tuesday.

Police said the assailants escaped on one motorcycle after shooting Michael Batayza just outside his house in Talomo district late Monday afternoon.

Batayza’s family condemned the attack and urged human rights groups to investigate the murder and so were other extrajudicial killings in Davao City.

Police said Batayza was previously jailed for robbery in Davao City. His family insisted Batayza had already reformed and was a good man.

Just last week, motorcycle gunmen also killed Ruel Alicania and Francis Capailo, both 15 years old, in an attack in Buhangin village. The two were just buying bread from a bakery when the men shot them.

Previous killings had been largely blamed by relatives of victims to authorities and anti-crime vigilantes, but were afraid to file criminal charges for fear they would be silenced.

Hundreds of suspected criminals and those with police records had fallen victims to the bullets of the so-called Davao Death Squad. (Romy Bwaga)

Two Teeners Gunned Down In Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 15, 2008) – Unidentified gunmen struck anew in Davao, murdered two teenagers as the vicious cycle of violence continues in this southern Filipino city known for its unsolved cases of extrajudicial killings.

Police said the latest victims, Ruel Alicania and Francis Capailo, both 15 years old, were shot late Sunday by a pair of motorcycle gunmen along Km. 5 in Buhangin village.

The two were just buying bread from a bakery when the assailants attacked them and police blamed gang war for the twin killings.

Previous killings had been largely blamed by relatives of victims to the authorities and anti-crime vigilantes. Hundreds of suspected criminals and those with police records had fallen victims to the bullets of the so-called Davao Death Squad. (Romy Bwaga)

Vigilantes Strike Anew, Kill Two Robbers In Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 12, 2008) – Two persons were killed in separate shooting incidents in Davao City in Mindanao, police reported on Friday.

Police blamed the vigilante group Davao death Squad for the twin killings that occurred late Thursday in Buhangin and Agdao areas. It said Mark Diwanon, a 17-year old motorcycle driver, was shot by two motorcycle gunmen who escaped after the attack.

It said Frederick Arcenas was also killed by gunmen on motorcycles. Both victims were implicated by the police in robberies in Davao City, where extrajudicial killings are rampant.

Hundreds of people, mostly with criminal records or suspected thieves, had been killed through the years in Davao City. (Romy Bwaga)

Suspect In Journalist Slay Arrested In South RP

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 30, 2007) – Police have arrested one of two men linked to the murder of a Filipino broadcaster in the southern port city of Davao.

Police said Oliver Antoc, 31, was nabbed on Friday night in Davao City by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group while buying a roast chicken for dinner. They also seized a .45-caliber pistol from Antoc.

Two witnesses in the killing of Ferdinand Lintuan also pointed to Antoc as the gunman who shot the journalist inside his car on December 24.

It said it would file criminal charges against Antoc based on testimonies of the witnesses. It was unknown whether Antoc is a member of the Davao Death Squad or who ordered the killing of the journalist.

Two motorcycle gunmen killed Ferdinand Lintuan as he was driving his car.
Lintuan’s killing was previously blamed on the vigilante group called the Davao Death Squad, which is believed behind hundreds of extra-judicial killings the past years in Davao City.

Most of its victims were suspected criminals and thieves, but relatives and families of those killed have accused policemen as behind the Davao Death Squad.

Police gave no details about its investigation into the killing, but Lintuan's murder was not the first in Davao City. Several journalists had been murdered in the past in Davao and among them were Ed Palomares, Cezar Magalang, Narciso Balani, Rogie Zagado in 1987 and Juan Pala Jr., in 2003.

Five journalists had been killed and two others wounded in separate attacks in the Philippines since early this year, according to the National Union of Journalists.

The Philippines is branded as one of the most dangerous place for journalists because of unresolved killings. Dozens of journalists were killed the past years and most of the cases remain unresolved.

More than 900 people, among them political activists, have been killed and hundreds are still missing since President Gloria Arroyo took office in 2001, according to the United Methodist News Service. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine Police Clueless On Murder Of Journalist

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 26, 2007) – Police are still facing a blank wall in the killing of a Filipino broadcaster in Davao City in Mindanao.

Two motorcycle gunmen killed Ferdinand Lintuan as he was driving his car on December 24 in downtown Davao. No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion fell heavily on the vigilante group called the Davao Death Squad.

The group was believed behind hundreds of extra-judicial killings the past years in Davao City.

Most of its victims were suspected criminals and thieves, but relatives and families of those killed have accused policemen as behind the Davao Death Squad.

Philippine police chief, Director General Avelino Razon Jr. has ordered an investigation into the killings blamed to the Davao Death Squad.

But television giant GMA-7 reported on Wednesday that police authorities in Davao City belied the existence of the Davao Death Squad.

It quoted police regional spokesman Chief Inspector Querubin Manalang Jr. that most of the killings in Davao City were perpetrated by feuding gang members.

Police gave no details about its investigation into the killing, but Lintuan’s murder was not the first in Davao City. Several journalists had been murdered in the past in Davao and among them were Ed Palomares, Cezar Magalang, Narciso Balani, Rogie Zagado in 1987 and Juan Pala Jr., in 2003.

Lintuan’s relatives and journalists also wanted an independent probe into the killing and for the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila to send a team to Davao City and handle the case instead pf the local police.

“It’s difficult for the Davao police to handle the case. It’s better if the NBI in Manila take the case and ensure a credible investigation and punish those whoever is behind the killing,” one journalist said.

Just this month, a freelance journalist, Romelito Oval Jr., was also killed and his body buried in a shallow grave on a remote village in Butuan City in southern Philippines.

In October, a Filipino broadcaster, Jose Pantoja, was shot and seriously wounded in front of the Mindanao State University in Iligan City. The attacker fled after the shooting.

In August, unidentified gunman also shot and wounded another broadcaster, Manuel Kong, of the radio station dxSN, in Surigao City.

Five journalists had been killed and two others wounded in separate attacks in the Philippines since early this year, according to the National Union of Journalists.

The Philippines is branded as one of the most dangerous place for journalists because of unresolved killings. Dozens of journalists were killed the past years and most of the cases remain unresolved.

More than 900 people, among them political activists, have been killed and hundreds are still missing since President Gloria Arroyo took office in 2001, according to the United Methodist News Service. (Mindanao Examiner)

Patayan Sa Davao City, Walang Humpay

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 21, 2007) – Isang Chinese businessman ang pinatay sa lungsod ng Davao City sa Mindanao at posibleng sabit ang grupong Davao Death Squad (DDS) sa krimen.

Sinabi ngayon araw ng pulisya na binaril sa ulo sa dayuhan na tubong lalawigan ng Fujian sa China.

Hindi pa mabatid ang motibo sa pagpatay, ngunit sinabi ng pulisya na walang kinalaman ang hold-up sa krimen dahil nabawi pa sa bangkay ang kanyang cell phone, alahas at wallet.

Hindi naman agad ibinigay ng pulisya ang pangalan ng biktima at ipababatid poa umano ito sa Chinese Embassy. Tinatayang nasa 40 taong gulang ang biktima at may negosyo umano sa Davao.

Malaki naman anhg hinala ng iba na ang DDS ang nasa likod ng pamamaslang dahil marami na itong napatay at pinaniniwalaang private goons sa lungsod.

Talamak ang patayan sa Davao at mistulang inutil naman ang mga awtoridad sa kadahilanang ni isang miyembro ng DDS ay walang nadarakip dito.

Daan-daan mga katao na ang napatay ng DDS s amga nakalipas na taon at karamihan sa mga itinumba nito ay mga umano'y kriminal o kaya ay may mga records sa pulisya. (Mindanao Examiner)

Death Stalks Criminals In Davao City

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 13 Jul) – Death is coming and it came too fast for a father who was mercilessly killed in front of his son in the southern Filipino port city of Davao.

The victim, Rosito Campus, 43, was stabbed dead late Friday afternoon by unidentified men on motorcycle.

Just like the others, the latest victim had a shadowy past – he was implicated in a series of robbery and had posted bail after being arrested by the police.

Campus was with his four-year old son when three men attacked him on a busy area near downtown Davao. The boy was not harmed.

Police was quick to blame the vigilante group Davao Death Squad as behind the attack. From guns, the vigilante group now uses knives to kill their prey – it is silent and swift.

Campus was one of many suspected criminals and thieves murdered in Davao City the past months. Hundreds have been executed over the years and relatives blamed authorities for the attacks. (Romy Bwaga)

Gang Leader Slain In South RP

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 05 Jul) – A notorious gang leader was killed before dawn Thursday inside his house in Davao City in the southern Philippines, local police said.

Police said Julius Gumba was shot in the head while sleeping in the house in the village of Duterte. The motive of the attack is still unknown, but suspicion pointed to the Davao Death Squad, a vigilante group blamed for the spate of killings of criminals in the city.

Gumba’s two equally notorious brothers were also killed in past attacks. Police said the slain brothers were involved in many crimes in Davao City. (Romy Bwaga)

And The Killings Continue In Davao City...

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 02 Jul) – Two civilians were killed in separate attacks in the southern Philippine city of Davao, once tagged as one of the most peaceful place in the troubled region.

Police said a 25-year old man was knifed to death while playing cards with friends in downtown Davao City. It said two assailants were involved in the attack and fled on a motorcycle after the killing.

Two motorcycle men, also armed with knives, attacked another victim in downtown area, killing him instantly.

The assailants escaped after the attack. Previous killings in Davao City were blamed to the Davao Death Squad, an anti-crime vigilante group, which targeted criminals and those with police records.

But relatives of those killed have accused authorities as behind the spate of attacks and many of those who came forward to testify had been executed. Police and military have denied involvements in the extra-judicial killings.

A few hundred people had been killed in attacks in Davao City the past years and most of the cases remain unsolved up to this time. And the killings still continue. (Romy Bwaga)

Gunmen Barge In House, Kill Occupant In Southern RP

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 30 May) – A farmer was killed after four gunmen barged in his house in Davao City in the southern Philippines, police said.

Police said the attack occurred at around 5 a.m. Tuesday in the village of Pangyan in Calinan district in the city’s outskirts.

The man, Roselio Naypa, was shot in the head, police said.

“The victim was sleeping inside his house when the suspects knocked on the door of his house. When the victim opened the door, the suspects then shot him repeatedly with a .45-caliber pistol,” a police investigator said.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion fell on the so-called Davao Death Squad, a group of anti-crime vigilantes largely blamed on the spate of extra-judicial killings in the city.

Relatives and families of the gang’s victims have blamed the police and their private goons as behind the vigilante group. Carlito Perez, village chieftain, said Naypa had criminal records. (Romy Bwaga)