“License to Kill”

killings. The police report states that the officers proceeded to the scene, where the armed
man fired at them and they returned the fire:
Upon seeing [the police, the suspect] pulled out his handgun and shoot
[sic] them twice. Luckily, [he] missed thus prompting [the officer] to
retaliate and shoot back hitting [the suspect] [who] sustained gunshot
wounds on the chest. However, the driver of a scooter motorcycle, color
black w/out plate number managed to drove [sic] off going to Estrada Street
and evade the arrest. 249
However, several witnesses contradicted the official police version of the incident in
separate interviews with Human Rights Watch. At least eight people, including several
young children, were alerted to the scene when they heard noise in the alley where the
alleged shootout took place.
One of the witnesses said:
It was about 2:35 a.m. We were playing computer games. Suddenly a
motorcycle arrived, and it was carrying [the victim]. My friend first peeked
out, and saw what was being done to that person by the tree, and then I
looked and saw that the person’s face was being punched until his
screaming stopped. Then there were three shots, one after the other.
Then after those three shots, the person driving the motorcycle left, and
then four consecutive shots followed immediately, then only one
policeman was left. Then suddenly other people arrived and put [police]
tape denying entry. 250
While the body was being guarded by a single policeman, several witnesses came closer
and photographed the body with their cellphones. The witness said:
249 Manila Police District, Spot Report Blotter Entry 3142, January 14, 2017 (on file with Human Rights Watch).
250 Human Rights Watch interview with witness 1, name withheld, Manila, January 14, 2017.
77 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | MARCH 2017