Extrajudicial

Killings

Submitted by: Nelson J. Quirit Jr

Kirck B. Medalle

Submitted to: Mr. Eric A. Vista

Extrajudicial Killings

– An extrajudicial killing (also known as extrajudicial execution) is the killing of a

person by governmental authorities without the sanction of any judicial proceeding or legal
process.

Extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances in the Philippines are

illegal executions – unlawful or felonious killings – and forced disappearances in
the Philippines.[1] These are forms of extrajudicial punishment, and include extrajudicial
executions, summary executions, arbitrary arrest and detentions, and failed prosecutions due to
political activities of leading political, trade union members, dissident and/or social figures, left-
wing political parties, non-governmental organizations, political journalists, outspoken clergy,
anti-mining activists, agricultural reform activists, members of organizations that are allied or
legal fronts of the communist movement like "Bayan group" or suspected supporters of the NPA
and its political wing, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)
Extrajudicial killings are most commonly referred to as "salvaging" in Philippine English. The
word is believed to be a direct Anglicization of Tagalog salbahe ("cruel", "barbaric"),
from Spanish salvaje("wild", "savage").[7]
Extrajudicial killings (EJKs) is also synonymous with the term "extralegal killings" (ELKs).
Extrajudicial/ extralegal killings (EJKs/ ELKs) and enforced disappearances (EDs) are unique in
the Philippines in as much as it is publicly and commonly known to be committed also by non-
state armed groups (NAGs) such as the New Peoples Army (NPA) and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF). Though cases have been well documented with conservative estimates
of EJKs/ ELKs and EDs committed by the NPAs numbering to about 900-1,000 victims based on
the discovery of numerous mass grave sites all over country, legal mechanisms for accountability
of non-state actors have been weak if not wholly non-existent.

Death toll

Data below is as of April 23, 2017, 6 am.

162 suspected drug personalities killed in police operations, since March 1, 2017

The PNP initially started keeping track of Double Barrel Alpha Reloaded statistics from March
6, based on messages sent to the media. But in its data update on March 30, the PNP adjusted the
start date to March 1.

Before the suspension of PNP's anti-drug operations, there had been over 7,000 deaths linked to
the "war on drugs" – both from legitimate police operations and vigilante-style or unexplained
killings (including deaths under investigation) from July 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017.
Below were the figures based on revised PNP data at the end of that period:

7,080 total number of people killed in #WarOnDrugs since July 1, 2016

2,555 suspected drug personalities killed in police operations, as of January 31,

2017

3,603 victims in cases of deaths under investigation, as of January 9, 2017

922 victims in cases where investigation has concluded, as of January 9, 2017

As of 6 am of September 14, the number of suspects killed in police operations reached 1,506.
But during a Senate probe on extrajudicial killings that day, PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa said
that after validation by its Directorate for Operations, the figure was corrected to only 1,105
deaths.

Moral Issue

Extrajudicial Killings: A Moral Perspective

Almost daily, the newspapers and TV report the series of killings of suspected criminals by the
dreaded death squad. This is happening not only in Davao but in other cities in Mindanao. Many
of those killed were petty thieves, drug addicts and pushers. Many of them were still young.

The question is: Can these killings be morally justified? Is it right to kill these criminals?

Those who order and perpetrate these killings obviously think that there is nothing wrong with
terminating these criminals with extreme prejudice. They think they are doing society a favor
because they are getting rid of these criminals; they are defending society from evil people. They
believe that the elimination of these criminals is a deterrent to crime. Thus, they act as
prosecutor, judge and executioner – carrying out capital punishment – the death penalty.

I am sure that there are many ordinary citizens who think the same way. That is why there is very
little public outcry. They believe these criminals – especially these drug pushers and suppliers –
deserve to die.

Is it right to kill these criminals?

In spite of good intentions, the means used is not only illegal, it is also immoral. The end does
not justify the means. We cannot achieve a good end with evil means. It is not right to fight
crime by committing a crime. Those who order and carry out these summary executions of
criminals become criminal themselves.

Moral Response

WHAT IF WE PUT IT ON THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE BIBLE.

- what does the bible say about killing?
Leviticus 24:17 “Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death.”
Romans 12:19 ”Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is
written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.” (ten commandments)

John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

ETC. . .

IN OUR OPINION,

Setting aside what was said by the bible. If we consider the welfare of the citizens on top
priority. Extrajudicial killings will favor the innocent and law abiding citizens. Our president is
choosing the easiest path in ending drug crimes in our country. But since our country is full of
corrupted leaders, it will be hard. Even some of the police officers and top ranked officials are
guilty. So what can we do as a citizen to avoid such things? We must avoid getting mixed up
with people related to drugs, because once you enter their world. Your life is already in danger.