Solon: Murder of peace advisor proof that Duterte’s death squad exists

Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao.

MANILA, Philippines — The murder of a peace consultant in Nueva Vizcaya confirms the existence of President Rodrigo Duterte’s death squad, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao said Wednesday.

“Ito na nga ‘yong sinasabi ni Pangulong Duterte na gagawa siya ng death squad partikular sa mga terminal at ‘yong mga suspected NPA (New People’s Army) ang titirahin nila,” Casilao said during a press briefing at the House of Representatives.

Casilao was referring to the assassination of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Randy Malayao in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya early Wednesday.  Malayao was gunned down while he was sleeping inside a bus.

READ: NDFP consultant-columnist shot dead in Nueva Vizcaya

According to the lawmaker, Duterte and officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should be held responsible for the murder of Malayao.

“Dahil nga pinili ng rehimeng Duterte ang daan na resolbahin ang problema ng CPP-NPA sa pamamagitan ng dahas at militarisasyon, walang ibang sisingilin dito kung hindi ang rehimeng Duterte at ang kanyang alipores sa Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas,” he claimed.

In November 2018, Duterte said he wants to create a death squad to counter NPA’s “Sparrow Units” or hit squads, which gained notoriety in the late 1980s up to early 1990s.

“One of these days I’ll be forced to create my own Sparrow [Unit]… I will match their talent in assassinating people. Yun ang balak ko […] ‘Yung kulang talaga is ‘yung sparrow ko rin, diyan naman sila makalamang. So, mag-create ako ng sparrow, Duterte Death Squad against the (NPA) sparrow,” Duterte said.

READ: Duterte wants to create ‘death squad’ to counter NPA’s Sparrow Unit
READ: What is the NPA Sparrow Unit?

Peace talks between the government and communist rebels bogged down after Duterte issued Proclamation No. 365 in November 2017, terminating formal negotiations with the Maoist guerrillas. /kga