Crime & Public Safety

Last Son Alive

Fernando Alia Fernando Alia at the Davao Medical Center, the last of the Alia boys. (davaotoday.com photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)

Last week, Fernando Alia was near his home when somebody plunged an ice pick twice in his back. Although he survived, he doesn?t feel a bit lucky. Three other brothers had been stabbed to death in and around the Bankerohan public market, where butchers not only kill livestock. Their mother, Clarita Alia, is at her wit?s end dealing with these tragedies. Worse, they blame her for their misfortunes. Davao Today?s Cheryll D. Fiel reports.

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The Vanishing

Nelly and Federico Intise, a Davao City couple known for their work in the NGO community, disappeared last month without a trace. Davao Today contributor Gingging Avellanosa, a friend of Nelly?s, writes that anxious family and friends believe that the military took them.
Nelly and Federico Intise, and their son Bayan's painting
Nelly and Federico Intise have been missing since late October. At right is their son Bayan’s painting of Nelly’s favorite slippers. (Contributed photos)

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Duterte?s Anti-Drugs Gambit

Duterte at the City Council last week. (Davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)Was Mayor Rodrigo Duterte?s unprecedented appearance at the City Council motivated by a serious desire to eradicate the drug problem? If so, why didn?t he or the PDEA file cases instead in court against the alleged drug dealers? Was it because of desperation and exasperation — that no matter what Duterte does, illegal drugs continue to proliferate? Or was it meant to spook councilors into giving him more ?peace and order? money in next year?s budget? Davao Today managing editor Cheryll D. Fiel tries to answer these questions.

Related story: Duterte?s Admission of Failure Proves Extrajudicial Killings Not the Answer

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Duterte?s Admission of Failure Proves Extrajudicial Killings Not the Answer

By Cheryll D. Fiel
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY ? If there?s one thing the appearance of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte at the City Council last week proved, it is that the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug dealers and addicts, something that this city has seen for quite a long time now, cannot solve the drug problem, according to human-rights advocates.

In his testimony, Duterte expressed exasperation over the continued proliferation of illegal drugs in the city, which he said are creating ?zombies? out of users.

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