Peace advocates lament consultant killings, urges return to talks

Peace advocate groups lamented the supposed extrajudicial killings and human rights violations committed against National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultants as they called for the resumption of peace negotiations between the government and the NDFP.

"Without a Christmas ceasefire between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), this holiday season is grimmer than any in recent history," groups Pilgrims for Peace and Kapayapaan said in a statement.

"Not only do the Filipino people suffer the impacts of a global pandemic on an already beleaguered economy, but the experience of widespread extra-judicial killings and human rights violations have plunged the Philippines into a human rights crisis, even sustaining actions by the International Criminal Court."

The peace groups added that the alleged red-tagging by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict had worsened the atmosphere for building peace; and threatened the welfare of peace and development workers, trade unionists, peasant organizers, social activists, lawyers, and those with human rights advocacies.

"The Christmas message of calling for 'peace on Earth and goodwill toward all' couldn’t be more apt for our current situation. There is no time like the present to summon goodwill from both parties, overcome obstacles to peacebuilding, and encourage a return to peace negotiations between the GRP and NDFP," the groups said in their statement.

The groups said "one clear obstacle" that remained were the killings of NDFP peace consultants and staff under the Duterte Administration, including Randy Malayao, Randall Echanis, Julius Giron, and his physician Dr. Lourdes Tangco and an aid, couple Agaton Tapacio and Eugenia Magpantay. Fourteen NDFP consultants and staff were detained as well.

The group also raised concerns on government forces' disregard for International Humanitarian Law following the execution of CPP-NPA leader Alvin Luque and reported NPA medic Jevylin Cullamat.

"On the 52nd anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of the Philippines, it should be abundantly clear that the armed conflict will persist, unless our people too summon collective goodwill, push for addressing the roots of the conflict, and oppose the current 'all-out war' policy that targets both armed and unarmed dissenters, illegal and legal organizations," the groups said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it was open to any investigation on the police operation that killed Magpantay and Topacio in Angono, Rizal.  — DVM, GMA News