Makabayan bloc to House: Condemn ‘cold-blooded’ murder of Malayao

MANILA, Philippines — The House Makabayan opposition bloc filed on Thursday a resolution urging the chamber to condemn the cold-blooded murder of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Randy Felix Malayao.

Malayao, a Bayan Muna regional coordinator and a human rights defender, was shot dead while sleeping inside a bus in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, before dawn Wednesday.

READ: NDFP consultant-columnist shot dead in Nueva Vizcaya

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, ACT Teachers Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Gabriela Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago filed House Resolution No. 2470, noting that the “cowardly, defenseless and cold-blooded murder” of Malayao happened after President Rodrigo Duterte announced that there would be no more peace talks between the government and the NDFP.

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

The lawmaker said that since January 2018, several NDFP peace consultants have been arrested “based on planted evidence and on trumped-up charges filed by the police and the military.” They were Rafael Baylosis, Vicente Ladlad, Adelberto Silva and Rey Casambre.

Except for Baylosis, who is now freed after the charges against him were thrown out by the court, all the arrested consultants are now languishing in jail, the Makabayan solons said.

READ: Makabayan solons condemn murder of NDFP consultant

As peacemakers, members of the House should “condemn and reject all acts of sabotage to the cause of peace-building and establishment of a just and equitable society,” the Makabayan bloc said.

“And, as representatives of the Filipino people, we must unceasingly push for a just and lasting peace and the resolution of the root causes of the decades-old armed conflict in our country,” they added.  /muf