Palace denounces killings of activists; says claims gov't forces behind it unfounded

Malacañang on Wednesday rejected allegations that state forces were behind the recent killings of two activists.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the killings of human rights advocate Zara Alvarez and peasant leader and peace consultant Randall 'Randy' Echanis are still being investigated.

“We denounce any form of violence perpetrated against citizens, including activists. We are a nation of laws and violence has no place in any civilized society,” Roque said.

“Blaming state forces as the people behind these murders is unfounded as investigation on the killings of Randall Echanis and Zara Alvarez is now underway. Let us wait for the formal report from the authorities.”

Alvarez was shot dead Monday night in Bacolod City. She was a teacher, a single mother, and a former campaign and education director and a current paralegal of human rights group Karapatan, the organization said.

Echanis was killed on August 10 inside his rented house in Quezon City.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay has suggested that the deaths of Echanis and Alvarez were “part of an orchestrated murderous rampage to silence dissent, with human rights defenders as targets and fair game."

Palabay claimed that Alvarez had been a target of “relentless threats, vilification, and harassment from the military.”

Exiled communist leader Jose Maria Sison, meanwhile, blamed President Rodrigo Duterte and his "gang of butchers" for Echanis’ death.

In a press statement, Bayan Muna secretary general Renato Reyes said the suspicion that state forces are behind the killings stem from the unabated red-tagging and slander done against activists by state forces themselves.

"First activists are slandered then they are set up for the kill. Coincidence?  We don't think so  We look at this as some sinister state-policy," he said.

"The killings must stop. It is the obligation of the Philippine government, as signatory to various human rights treaties, to stop the killings. Not one more activist should be killed," he added.—AOL, GMA News