MANILA, Philippines — Bayan Muna chair and senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares has slammed Malacañang for being a “hypocrite” for condemning the murder of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Randy Malayao.
Colmenares on Thursday said the Palace’s remarks on Malayao’s murder runs contrary to the rumors allegedly being spread by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Nakakagalit ang pagiging ipokrito ng Malacañang sa sinabi nilang pagkundena sa pagpatay kay Randy samantalang sinisiraan naman siya ng PNP at kung anu-anong mga kasinungalingan ang ipinapakalat,” Colmenares, who flew to Isabela to condole with Malayao’s family, said
On February 4, local police speculated that Malayao had a quarrel with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels. Local police also said Malayao is also a member of the communist NPA.
In a statement, the Cagayan Valley police said Malayao is allegedly a “financial and sexual opportunist in the revolution” — which could have been the reason why he was gunned down.
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Last January 31, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said no one should be killed, regardless if they agree or not with government policies or have different ideologies.
“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.
According to earlier reports, Malayao — also a Bayan Muna regional coordinator and a columnist — was sleeping inside parked bus docked at a bus stop in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, when a gunman boarded the bus and shot him as he slept. He died on the spot, police said.
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Colmenares also took exception to the PNP’s supposed treatment, accusing the police that the victim and not the suspect is the one being investigated.
“Si Randy na nga ang biktima at pinatay pero tuloy-tuloy ang PNP sa pagvillify sa kanya. Parang siya pa nga ang iniimbestigahan at pilit na kinukuha ng DILG at PNP ang kanyang mga gamit,” the former lawmaker added.
“What the PNP has to do is to find the killers of Randy and not whitewash nor cover up the case as well as launch a demonization campaign against him,” he added.
He also said that with these stance, Malacañang appears to be siding with the suspects. He also appealed to the police to stop spreading rumors about the slain peace consultant.
“It’s quite obvious that the police and in effect Malacañang are siding with Randy’s murderers,” Colmenares said.
“Randy is a hero of the people who spent his life always working for genuine peace and betterment of the Filipino people. The PNP should stop spreading intrigues against him because they are just exposing their true colors,” he added. /muf