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NDFP slams Duterte gov't over killing of 2 peace negotiators in Angono


The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) on Wednesday denounced the Duterte administration, including the Philippine National Police, over the death of its two peace consultants in an encounter with authorities in Angono, Rizal. 

According to the NDFP, the Duterte regime is guilty of violating the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) of 1995, which guarantees all participants in the peace negotiations safety and immunity from detention, arrests, and murder, over the killing of Eugenia Magpantay and Agaton Topacio last November 25. 

"The police claim that the couple resisted arrest and were killed in a firefight. In their physical condition, they could not have handled the many weapons found on the scene, much less engaged in a firefight," the NDFP said. 

"The execution of Magpantay and Topacio recalls the murders of NDFP consultants in the peace negotiations: Randall Echanis, Julius Giron and Randy Malayao," it added. 

Due to the incident, the NDFP also claimed that the present administration is guilty of violating the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) of 1998.

Authorities said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Calabarzon police implemented the search warrants against the couple last week for alleged violations of the Republic Act 10591 or the Illegal Possession of Explosives.

The warrants of arrest for homicide and murder cases were also implemented against them. 

Topacio and Magpantay allegedly tried to evade arrest, which resulted in an encounter. The injured couple was brought to the Rizal Provincial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police said high-powered weapons were seized from the couple.

According to the NDFP, Magpantay and Topacio, both 69 years old, were already retired and convalescing in the past years.

"Both suffered from diabetes. Comrade Eugenia Magpantay recently suffered a stroke, which rendered her comatose for four days. Comrade Agaton Topacio was in pain for heart enlargement, knee injury, and frozen shoulder," the NDFP noted.

GMA News Online reached the Philippine National Police for comment on the latest statement of the NDFP. 

However, during his Monday press briefing, PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas already said the police is open for any investigation on the incident. 

Sinas, however, told critics that they could always file a case in court if they have evidence against the cops. 

If they don't have any proof, they better refrain from talking, Sinas said. —KG, GMA News

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