Ex-mayor, 29 others face murder raps over Tagum death squad

MANILA, Philippines - A former mayor of Tagum, Davao del Norte and 29 others have been charged with multiple counts of murder over the killings in the city and nearby areas by a death squad.

In its referral-complaint filed before the Department of Justice on Wednesday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed the findings of the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) last year that the so-called Tagum Death Squad (TDS) was behind the extrajudicial killings of at least 82 persons from 2008 to 2012.

“The TDS was created allegedly to rid Tagum City of what Mayor (Rey) Uy frequently referred to as ‘weeds’ such as thieves, snatchers, drug pushers. Uy provided payment and equipment for the operations, using the Civil Security Unit (CSU) as cover to the lawfully issue guns and motorcycles used in the killings,” the NBI said.

“Later on, the squad was used for contract killings to eliminate business competitors, enemies, and even police officers, who were threats to them or going against their interest, with the approval of Mayor Uy,” the NBI complaint signed by Director Virgilio Mendez stated.

Also charged were former CSU head Abraham Katre, CSU team leader Rolly Sabitsana and New People’s Army rebel-returnee Conrado Palen, alias Radin.

Former police officer Alex Maniego and Wresnster Azarcon, alias Ren Ren, said to be the most feared among TDS members, were included in the charge sheet.

The NBI cited the testimony of former TDS members Romnick Minta and Jomari Abayon, who admitted their participation in the killings.

The NBI also filed two counts of frustrated murder against Uy and several members of the death squad in view of the assassination attempt on Minta and Franklin Romansata.

HRW said it had documented at least a dozen of the 298 killings based on accounts of former hit men, witnesses, relatives of the victims and police officers in Tagum City.