Palace condemns murder of NDF consultant, QC village chief

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Thursday condemned the killing of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Randy Felix Malayao and Quezon City Barangay Captain Crisell Beltran.

In a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that they “regret” both deaths, adding that no one should be killed regardless of their beliefs and ideology.

“There can be no act of violence against anyone regardless of whether they agree with the government or whether or not we belong to the same ideology or religious belief. We will never tolerate any unlawful killing in this country,” Panelo said.

Based on witnesses’ accounts, Malayao was sleeping inside a bus in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya when the gunman climbed aboard and shot him on Wednesday. He died on the spot.

READ: NDFP consultant-columnist shot dead in Nueva Vizcaya

Before President Rodrigo Duterte terminated the peace talks with the NDFP, Malayao attended formal peace negotiations in Europe as a consultant from Cagayan Valley. He also acted as one of the spokespersons of the NDFP Negotiating Panel in Europe.

Meanwhile, Beltran, who was seeking a congressional seat in the May elections, was killed in an ambush in Quezon City on Wednesday.

READ: QC barangay chairwoman killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen

In a separate statement, Panelo called on the authorities to conduct a “speedy and impartial” investigation into the senseless killings.

“We call on the authorities to conduct a speedy and impartial investigation to run after the perpetrators of these senseless crimes. Justice must be served no matter the cost. Everyone must be accountable before the law,” he said. /jpv