Bishop asks LGUs to probe EJK cases

A Catholic bishop in Metro Manila has called on local government units (LGUs) to establish human rights councils to investigate cases of extrajudicial killing (EJK) in their areas.

“We will be organizing a human rights council here in Caloocan City. I hope each town and city will have its own human rights council,” Kalookan Diocese Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said. The diocese covers the cities of Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas which, in recent weeks, have seen a rise in killings carried out by masked men.

David made the remarks following a “Walk for Life” prayer rally held in his diocese on Sunday to condemn the disturbing trend.

More than 7,000 drug-related deaths in legitimate police operations and vigilante-style killings have so far been recorded nationwide.

David said he had discussed with Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco the possibility of forming the city’s own human rights council. Members will come from the local government, Catholic Church and civil society groups. They will monitor EJK cases, mostly of crime and drug suspects, within their jurisdiction.

“We really need an independent body to find out what is really happening. Why is our society being invaded by ‘termites’?” David said.

Earlier, the prelate labeled the perpetrators of extrajudicial killings as “termites” who destroy Philippine society from within.

David noted that the police were usually unable to resolve these cases as he stressed the need for a human rights council to step in and investigate.

“We’re not saying the police are behind these killings. What I do know is that the police are aware of these cases and these go unresolved,” the bishop said.

David earlier told the Inquirer that he had yet to see any serious probe being done by authorities on the serial killings by masked killers in his diocese.

“All I know is that after the casualties piled up in our three cities of Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas, the police were suddenly given a reshuffle of assignments. The mayors in our area claim they have no authority over the police. I wish they could at least show an effort to do their own independent investigation,” he said.