“License to Kill”

shot. The neighbor said Amora was not involved in drugs, and held down a steady job
carrying freight at the nearby docks. 185
The police report of Amora’s death was nearly identical to the police account of Agrigado’s
and Sardido’s deaths, stating he was killed during an active drug bust operation rather
than inside his home. The police report said that the undercover operative conducted a
successful drug deal with Amora, after which a bystander shouted “Pulis onse yang
kausup mo,” (“That is police from [station] 11 you are talking to”), causing Amora to flee:
[S]aid suspect [then] suddenly darted to a third floor of a shanty to evade
arrest but operative hastily chased the former in order to arrest him but
suspect suddenly drew out his weapon and shot the pursuing cop who
luckily did not hit. After sensing that his life was in imminent danger, [officer]
returned fire and hit his marked who met his instantaneous death. 186
In October, Agrigado’s relative, who lived in the same house, received an SMS death threat
from a man that was believed to be a police officer involved in the killing of Agrigado. The
threat makes explicit reference to the police stations in the area, and a police “asset” who
is monitoring the house:
Be ready, I’m gonna shoot you next. Not in PCP but in station 11, just count
the weeks and you’ll lose someone again in your family, Agrigado.
Especially now that my asset sees that you live in your house. Not trying to
frighten you, I’m telling the truth, thank me for sending you a warning. 187
185 Ibid.
186 Binondo Police Station, Spot Report signed by Police Senior Inspector Rommel Anicete, September 28, 2016 (on file with
Human Rights Watch).
187 SMS (copy on file with Human Rights Watch). The original Tagalog-language text reads: “Humanda ka na susunod na
kitang papadutukin. Hindi sa pcpc kundi sa station 11 bumilang ka land nang linggo may mawawala ulit sa pamilya mo
agregado. Lalo na ngayon nakikita ka nang asset ko na dyan ka sa bahay nyo naninirmihan. Hindi aka nananakot totoo
sinasabi ko pasalamat ka nag warning pa ako sayo.”
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