Reds 'determined to overthrow' Duterte regime after Malayao slay

The Communist Party of the Philippines is now rethinking its stance of being open to peace talks with the government, following the the killing of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Randy Malayao on Wednesday.

Moreover, CPP founder Joma Sison said in a statement that the government can expect an intensified offensive from communist rebels.

"In view of the murder of NDFP consultant Randy Malayao, the NDFP and all revolutionary forces within its fold are now in the process of reconsidering its policy of being open to peace negotiations with the GRP under the Duterte regime and are more than ever determined to carry out the overthrow of the the treasonous, tyrannical, murderous and corrupt Duterte regime," Sison said.

"The blood of martyrs is never shed in vain. It inspires the greater resistance of the people to tyranny," he added.

Malayao was gunned down inside an Isabela-bound bus when it reached a stopover in Nueva Vizcaya.

According to the police, one of the two suspects entered the bus while the other drove the getaway motorcycle.

Meanwhile, NDFP chairperson Fidel Agcaoili also condemned the "brutal murder" of Malayao whom he described as a hardworking person.

He pointed out that Malayao had also been a torture victim and a political prisoner under the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"He had been acquitted of all charges and was protected by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG) as an NDFP peace consultant," Agcaoili said.

Furthermore, the NDFP leader took Malayao's killing as an indication of other woes that may possibly come the way of other peace consultants.

"His killing may very well portent of worse moves against NDFP consultants for the peace talks many of whom, such as Vic Ladlad, Adel Silva and Rey Casambre, among others have already been arbitrarily arrested and slapped with trumped up charges," he said. — MDM, GMA News