Police uncover big vigilante group

Police uncovered the existence of a big group of vigilantes operating in Metro Manila and other areas following the arrest of three of its members in a raid in their hideout in Tondo, Manila.

Director General Ronald dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the arrest came following rumors that have been circulating in the past months that policemen and soldiers are behind the extra-judicial killings.

“This only proves that it is not the police who are responsible for what they termed as extra-judicial killings. These people admitted to killing some drug suspects which we classify as Death Under Investigation,” said Dela Rosa.

He identified them as Manuel Murillo, 33; Marco Murallos, 33; and, Alfredo Alejan, 42. They allegedly belong to vigilante organization, the “Confederate Sentinels Group.”

Chief Superintendent Joel Napoleon Coronel, director of the Manila Police District, said the three were collared in a raid at the Temporary Housing in Vitas, Tondo, Manila.

“They are members of a vigilante group engaged in several crimes,” said Coronel in a press briefing at Camp Crame where they were presented to Dela Rosa.

During the interrogation, the three confessed to belonging to a large group of volunteers who are running after suspected drug pushers and users, especially in Metro Manila.

More than 7,000 suspected drug pushers and users have killed in both legitimate police operations and killings attributed to vigilante groups.

Topping the list of the areas where the killings of suspected drug pushers and users are prevalent are Metro Manila and Central Luzon.

Dela Rosa said the group, based on the confession of those arrested, is composed of more than 200 vigilantes and led by a civilian volunteer they call commander.

“This commander and seven others are now the subject of our follow-up operations,” said Coronel.

Dela Rosa, for his part, said it appears that the group used the antiillegal drugs war launched by the Duterte administration as an opportunity to liquidate people.

He said the group has been operating for five months, or the time where the anti-drugs war is at its peak.

Coronel said they found out about the case after the body of 16-year-old Charlie Saladaga was found floating along the shoreline of Isla Puting Bato in Tondo last January 2.

The victim’s family did not file complaint for fear that the suspects would hurt them.

As rumors of those responsible started to float, especially after the victim’s relatives recognized some of the suspects who forcibly took Saladaga, some of the suspects confronted the victim’s parents and threatened them with harm if they try to seek police assistance.

This forced Saladaga’s parents to seek police assistance that eventually led to the arrest of the three.

“Further investigation revealed that the armed group, known as the Confederate Sentinels Group, was engaged in extortion on garbage collectors and series of killings in Tondo,” police said.