PREDA Answer-Counter Affidavit
ANNEX: October 6, 1999 Newspaper: Mindanao Daily Mirror,
Headline: No child's land?
Mindanao Daily Mirror
October 06, 1999
Over the past three years Davao City has earned the distinction of being home to a group of vigilantes that has so far killed off more than 50 suspected drug pushers in the city. The government, in turn, has been criticized for not doing anything in stopping the vigilantes' activities; indeed, ever since the first victims began falling to the ground in 1996 City Hall has yet to make an arrest -- or even identify a suspect. One would think that more than 50 hits the city authorities would have at least an inkling of who are killing of the pushers. From such inability to arrest any killers arose the suspicion that City Hall itself is actually sponsoring the vigilantes.
City Hall, for its part, has done nothing to dispel the rumors. Perhaps it is not about to dignify the accusation with a reply; this we do not know. We do know that current issue has forced the city government to rise up in indignation, and the people must support it this time because the image of the entire city is at stake.
Of late Fr. Shay Cullen, chair of the PREDA foundation which espouses the rights of street children in Olongapo, has taken to sending electronic mail to his international contacts accusing Davao City Hall of using goons to intimidate and even kill street children. Apparently two NGOs wrote to the priest detailing how two "minors" (who were actually adults since they were aged 19 and 21) were shot dead by vigilantes for snatching, and how goons then harassed two of the victims' friends. The goons, in turn, were allegedly seen by the friends lounging around inside City Hall -- proof that the city government is sponsoring a campaign to cleanse the city of street children.
This, of course, is stupid. Even a stretch of the imagination will not make anyone believe that any local government in the Philippines is heartless enough to actually kill off children. That the international smear campaign is being waged by one who does not even live in Davao City makes the matter even worse. His actions affects all of us who know that the city government of Davao has done more for the children any local government unit in the entire country.
We suggest that Fr. Cullen accept de Guzman's invitation to visit the city and see how well we treat our children. While our program is not perfect, it is still better than other areas -- and certainly away from what the priest is picturing: that Davao City is a no-child's-land.
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