THE PHILIPPINE National Police has denied the claim of an international human rights groups that retired and active cops are behind of most of the cases of extrajudicial killings, particularly those in Cebu. Human Rights Watch (HRW) was citing a statement from the Central Visayas Region’s police chief. “The Philippine National Police takes exception to allegations that there are retired and active members of the military and police force serving as hit men for illegal drug syndicates. Let me reiterate that the full force of the law shall be meted against those who have chosen to lean on the side of criminal syndicates,” PNP Spokesperson Benigno B. Durana said in a statement to BusinessWorld on Nov. 7. HRW has called for an independent probe on the alleged cases. “We would rather leave it to the PRO7 (Police Region 7) Regional Director to clarify further the statements attributed to him by HRW. Different regional jurisdictions have its own peculiar characteristics and prevailing situations. And we think the situation in Central Visayas cannot be said of the situation in the 16 other regions of the country,” said Mr. Durana.–Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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