Mayor Belen condemns killings by vigilante groups
DAGUPAN City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez expressed alarm over the trail of extra-judicial killings made to appear to be happening with regularity and increasing frequency in the city.
“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the extra-judicial killings being perpetrated by vigilante groups that identify themselves as “Dagupan Death Squad” and “Pangasinan Death Squad” upon innocent people whom they simply perceive to be persons involved in illegal drugs in the city,” she intoned.
The most recent cases of extra-judicial killings were those of the two students here: Rowena Vergara Tiamson, a 20-year old Mass Communications student of Colegio de Dagupan and Roman Clifford Fernandez Manaois of Barangay Carael.
“There is no such thing as Dagupan Death Squad or Pangasinan Death Squad operating in our city,” said Fernandez when she spoke July 28 in front of students at the City Library during the training and launching of the free Wi-Fi access in Public Places.
The Dagupan City Police Station confirmed that Tiamson was not among the drug peddlers and users in their list while Manaois’ family claims an autopsy reportedly yielded negative of any drug use in his system. Both were about to graduate from their respective courses this year.
Mayor Fernandez advised the students to be careful in being in the company of known drug users for their own safety even as she urged them to observe the curfew hours being implemented in the city for their own protection as well.
“If you happened to know someone engaged in using and peddling illegal drugs, please call our anti-drug textline 0947-377-7777,” urged Fernandez.
Ms. Fernandez also informed the students that a rehab desk has been opened at the city hall where illegal drug users can avail of free rehabilitation after qualifying tests are made. To date, the city has already enrolled more than 200 drugs users under the program.
“At the end of the day, what is important is we were able to rehabilitate some drug users,” said Fernandez.
She, however, warned that surrendering to the authorities does not mean that one is already cleared from the watch list. “We will still watch you because if you surrender, there must be a firm resolve on your part not to go back to your vice.” (JCB_CIO)
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